Desenvolvimento e validação de método analítico para determinação de WE010, WE014 e WE017

The synthetic guanylhydrazones WE010 (3,5-di-tert-butil-4-hidroxibenzaldehyde-guanylhydrazone), WE014 (4-bifenilcarboxialdehydeguanylhydrazone) and WE017 (3,4-diclorobenzaldehydeguanylhydrazone) showed high cytotoxic activity in terms of percentage inhibition of cancer cells growth. However, further progress in the development of these drug candidates requires precise and convenient methods for their qualitative and quantitative analyses. The aim of this study was to develop and validate High Performance Liquid Chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and Ultra Fast Liquid Chromatography with diode-array detection (UFLC-DAD) methods suitable for as simultaneous as isolated determination of studied guanylhydrazones, based on the optimization of chromatographic parameters and obtaining reduced detection times. The chromatographic analyses of analytes by HPLC were performed on C18 ACE analytical column (150 mm x 4.6 mm), with a particle size of 5.0 μm. Among all the conditions assayed, the best results of separation were obtained with a mixture of methanol:water (60:40, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate 1.5mL/min and pH of 3.5 adjusted at acetic acid. The UFLC method was developed by experimetal desing techniques in order to find optimal chromatographic analytical conditions, which were achieved on XR-ODS analytical column (50 mm x 3.0 mm), with a particle size of 2,2 μm, maintained at 25 ºC. The mobile phase was consisted of methanol:water (65:35, v/v) with 0.1% triethylamine (TEA) and pH of 3.5 adjusted at acetic acid, at a flow rate 0.5 mL/min. The procedure were validated following evaluating parameters such as specificity, linearity, limits of detection (LD) and quantification (LQ), precision, accuracy and robustness, giving results within the acceptable range. Although the UFLC method shows better sensitivity (lower values of LD and LQ), robustness (lower rates of relative standard deviation) and minimize spending time and solvent, both developed methods were adequately applied to the analysis of guanylhydrazones molecules, may be used in routine of quality control laboratories. Keywords: guanylhydrazones, HPLC/DAD, UFLC/DAD, validation of analitical method

Avaliação da atividade turística sobre a composição e a distribuição das macroalgas marinhas nos recifes de Pirangi (Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil)

The reef area of Pirangi beach has been experiencing antropogenic actions, mainly due to tourism activity. In order to evaluate these effects, surveys on seaweeds were conducted at nine stations located over the fringing reef. Benthic community (seaweeds/corals) were identified using the photoquadrat method, with 50 meters random transects located paralleled to the coast. The general categories evaluated in each transect were: rock, sand, seaweeds, corals and mollusks. Data achieved were processed at Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions software. A total of 30 seaweed species, 5 coral species and 1 mollusk species were identified. There was a high dominance of short algae at stations with high tourism pressure, whereas frondose algae usually occurred at places without human interference. Seaweeds with the highest percent cover were composed by Sargassum vulgare (59%), Caulerpa racemosa (47%) and Dictyopteris delicatula (33%). Cluster analyses considering benthic organisms revealed five benthic features: (1) submersed area characterized by a diversified marine flora; (2) area with dominance of Caulerpa racemosa and presence of Millepora alcicornis; (3) area with high cover of Sargassum vulgare; (4) trampling area characterized by bare rocks, short algae and Zoanthus sociatus and (5) area with high coverage of Palythoa caribaeroum. Obtained data suggest that the studied area has been damaged by tourism activities. Furthermore, observed differences in algal communities may be a good indicator of ecosystem health of Pirangi reefs

Avaliação da cobertura e monitoramento do branqueamento de corais nos

Coral bleaching has been increasingly the focus of research around the world since the early 1980s, when it was verified to be increasing in frequency, intensity and amount of areas affected. The phenomenon has been recorded since 1993, associated with elevation of the sea surface temperature due to El Niños and water thermal anomalies, according to most reports around the world. On the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, a mass coral bleaching event was recorded in the Environmental Protection Area of Coral Reefs (APARC) during March and April 2010, when the water temperature reached 34°C for several days. About 80% of the corals in Maracajaú reef-complex exhibited partial or total bleaching. The aims of this study were to verify representativeness of coral coverage and how the bleaching dynamic has developed among different species. Coral coverage was estimated according to Reef Check Brazil protocol associated with quadrant method, and bleaching was evaluated from biweekly visual surveys in 80 colonies of Favia gravida, Porites astreoides, Siderastrea stellata and Millepora alcicornis. At the same time temperature, pH, salinity and horizontal transparency, as well as mortality and disease occurrence were monitored. Analysis of variance and Multiple Regression from the perspective of time lag concept were used to evaluate the bleaching dynamics among species and the relationship between variation of means of bleaching and variations of abiotic parameters, respectively. Species showed significant differences among themselves as to variation of means of bleaching over time, but the dynamic of variation exhibited similar patterns

Avaliação da aprendizagem no curso a distância de licenciatura em ciências biológicas da Universidade Estadual de Pernambuco

In contemporary society, distance education is expanding, especially in the offering of courses of initiatory professor training. By the side of possibilities, there is the need to critically reflect on the government decision to finance, and even to incite distance education, as a more economic way to achieve, within different time and space, the greatest quantity of the population, trying to fill the gaps of the Brazilian school education. The research was made in the Biology Bachelor Course offered by the Pernambuco University (UPE), in the context of the Presential Support Pole of the Paraiba State University, located in the city of Campina Grande. Along this study, we intend to analyze the evaluation practice and the instruments of valuation available in the virtual environment of learning (AVA), used by the former professors in the learning evaluation of the contents offered by the reference course. The relevance of the discussion is to reflect about the results of distance education in the initial of the professor training. To perceive the possibilities and limitations concerning the technological resources available at the educational process, especially to the evaluation practice, is primordial in order to comprehend the contents of learning that can be explored by the professors and which is the dialogical relation that is firmed between professor, preceptor and student, in favor of the learning development and an effective and meaningful education. The qualitative research had the symbolic interacionism as a methodological-theoretical approach. We gathered informations through institutional documents, documental records, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Treating and analyzing the data we used the content analysis method (Bardin, 1977). As a theoretical basis, we relied on authors such as Zabala (1998, 1999), Aretio (2002), Hoffmann (2003, 2005), Silva, M. (2003, 2006), Belloni (2006), Luckesi (2008), Silva, J. (2008), Vasconcelos (2008) and Domingos (2009). It was evident the need to reflect about the educational practice of the professors and preceptors responsible for the academic distance learning, concerning the evaluation of the learning contents in a autonomous and innovatory way, identifying its influence in the development of values which are considered vital to a complete professor upbringing. The evaluation in a mediator approach is necessary to the reality of an online classroom, because of its character to promote the improvement of the action of the one who is teaching and the one Who is learning in an interactive, collaborative and cooperative perspective, seeking a transformative praxis. Involved in this formation, the bachelors will be able to promote the development of capacities and skills necessary to the complete learning of theirs future students, certifying the education for life, which is a perspective that includes the knowing, the knowing how to do and how to be, a living being with sustainable relations with the others and with nature

Avaliação do uso do DCP em areias para controle da capacidade de carga em fundações diretas e controle de compactação de aterros

This work presents results of field and laboratory tests using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, DCP. The tests were performed in order to evaluate the use of the equipment in sand for the control of bearing capacity of shallow foundations and fill compaction. For shallow foundations, the laboratory tests were conducted on sand placed in a metallic mould by the method of sand pluviation. Although the results show the inability to reproduce field conditions in the laboratory it was possible to verify the ability of the DCP to identify less resistant soil layers. The DCP tests for the analysis of compaction control were performed in a strong box with inside dimensions of 1,40 m x 1,40 m and 0,70 m in height. The soil layers were compacted with different densities though the use of a vibrating plate in order to obtain correlations between penetration index, DPI, and soil relative density. Other tests were also conducted to assess the influence of soil moisture on tests results. Among other findings, the results showed the great potential for the use of DCP to control the compaction of sand fills

Avaliação de economias de escala e escopo no desempenho de equipes de serviços aplicando Análise de Envoltória de Dados DEA: um estudo em Empresa de Telecomunicações no Brasil

This Master s Thesis proposes the application of Data Envelopment Analysis DEA to evaluate economies of scale and economies of scope in the performance of service teams involved with installation of data communication circuits, based on the study of a major telecommunication company in Brazil. Data was collected from the company s Operational Performance Division. Initial analysis of a data set, including nineteen installation teams, was performed considering input oriented methods. Subsequently, the need for restrictions on weights is analyzed using the Assurance Region method, checking for the existence of zero-valued weights. The resulting returns to scale are then verified. Further analyses using the Assurance Region Constant (AR-I-C) and Variable (AR-I-V) models verify the existence of variable, rather than constant, returns to scale. Therefore, all of the final comparisons use scores obtained through the AR-I-V model. In sequence, we verify if the system has economies of scope by analyzing the behavior of the scores in terms of individual or multiple outputs. Finally, conventional results, used by the company in study to evaluate team performance, are compared to those generated using the DEA methodology. The results presented here show that DEA is a useful methodology for assessing team performance and that it may contribute to improvements on the quality of the goal setting procedure.

Diagnóstico e avaliação das áreas de destino final dos resíduos sólidos urbanos no estado do rio grande do norte

This work aims to present the diagnosis and the evaluation of areas of final destination of urban solid waste in Rio Grande do Norte (RN) state. The survey was based on the experience of the State of São Paulo, which made its first inventory in 1997, through its Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental CETESB. The methodology for the structuring of diagnosis was the Índice de Qualidade de Aterros de Resíduo -- IQR, developed by the Institute for Technological Research of São Paulo (ITRP). The calculation is based on the completion of a matrix that contains information about the main features of the site, infrastructure and operating conditions of the area of waste disposal. This study intends to subsidize the state government of Rio Grande do Norte through its State Secretariat of Environment and Water Resources and the Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável e Meio Ambiente do RN (IDEMA), as well as federal, state and municipal authorities, in the definition of public policies for integrated management of municipal solid wastes to take account of environmental preservation and improvement of sanitary conditions of Natal-RN population.

Egressos na avaliação da qualidade de um curso: o caso da Engenharia de Produção da UFRN

This thesis aims at analyzing the perspective of graduates perceived quality of an undergraduate course in order to contribute to continuous improvement. In order to achieve the proposed objectives, we performed a literature search, seeking together the work surrounding this issue, with the intent to update the concepts discussed today on the subject studied, they are: quality management, quality in higher education institutions and the system national assessment of higher education - Sinaes. The methodology is characterized as a case study, quantitative, and the object of study is composed of students who graduated from Production Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, which includes students who graduated from 2002 to 2010; data collection was done through the survey instrument, questionnaire, available online through SurveyMonkey interface, data analysis was done by means of descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis, including factor analysis. The proposed survey instrument consists of questions nineteen and twenty statements that address the central theme of this dissertation. The results show the identification of four latent factors (obtained by exploratory factor analysis), through two perspectives, the analysis of perception and importance, the results were similar in terms of the variable factors. The first factor was related to the support given to students, a factor known to support two extra class, the third factor related aspects of the library, and finalizing the evaluation and approached a factor of 4 facilities. Through research it was concluded that this study presents several points to be improved by the management team, and recommended to continue to evaluate the perceptions of graduates, seeking continuous improvement in service delivery by the university

Avaliação do potencial do uso balanced scorecard: um estudo exploratório em Natal

Small businesses are experiencing growth scenario in emerging countries by the prospect of economic development, these countries, including Brazil, have a booming economy before the world crisis in the last five years, especially with the participation of small and medium enterprises. These factors generate increased competition and the need to expand market share through management actions in the quest for acquiring new customers. Moreover, these changes increase the need to properly use the information and organizational performance. Some national and international studies show the existence of peculiarities in small organizations, especially in environments of family management. Such particularities raise a scenario with several organizational deficiencies regarding the evaluation of their performance. In some cases, when there are static systems, traditional and focused only on the financial perspective, especially short term. Alternatively, the tools encourage strategic planning and observance of medium and long term, in many ways, whether financial, internal processes, customers, suppliers, and innovation, among others. Therefore, this study aims to identify and analyze the applicability of the system performance evaluation with emphasis on strategic and BSC - Balanced Scorecard. Regarding the research method, is classified as exploratory, with the participation of 25 companies, whose research was conducted between 2012 and 2013. Therefore, the research included the construction process and a structured questionnaire on practices and interest for the use of strategic tools, with emphasis on the Balanced Scorecard. Whose main result presented a high degree of interest in the applicability of the BSC by most of the participating institutions. Furthermore, It was observed the growing interest in using the Balanced Scorecard when it increases the company size, regardless of the area of market action. Participating companies have shown an outline of the strategic objectives and the establishment of indicators for assessing the performance due to their correlations with the BSC

Aplicando análise de envoltória de dados -DEA à avaliação de desempenho acadêmico: um estudo em programas de pós-graduação em engenharia mecânica e produção no Brasil

This Master of Science Thesis deals with applying DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) to the academic performance evaluation of graduate programs in Brazil, exploring it on a Mechanical and Production Engineering Program 2001-2003 data. The data used is that of the national assessment carried by CAPES, the governmental body in charge for graduate program assessment and certification. It is used the CCR output oriented DEA model, the CCR-Output with Assurance Region, and Window Analysis. The main findings are first that the CCR has the concerning problem of zero values of weights of outputs that is not appropriate in a sense that a graduate program has the higher efficiency score zeroing some output (e.g., number of academic papers published). Secondly, the Assurance Region method proved useful. Third, the Window Analysis also gave some light to the consistency of the performance in the time frame analysed. Also, the analysis results in the understanding that the Mechanics and Production Engineering should not be assessed jointly like currently applied by CAPES and rather should be assessed in its own field separately. Finally, the result of the DEA analysis showed some serious inconsistencies with the CAPES method. Graduate programs considered excellent has got low performance score and vice versa. This Thesis provides a strong argument in order to use DEA at least as a complimentary methodology for graduate program performance evaluation in Brazil

Avaliação da importância dos sistemas de gestão da qualidade nas universidades federais

This thesis aims at analyzing from the perspective of the manager the importance of the use of quality management tools and concepts in Federal Universities. It was motivated by the following research problem: do Federal University managers consider it to be relevant the quality management in their institution? Therefore, we sought to gather evidence for a satisfactory approach that addresses the complexity of the topic researched: quality, higher education and quality management systems. We chose to adopt an applied study, the exploratory-descriptive research as to the objective and the quantitative and qualitative research as to the approach to the problem. The object of study is composed by the Planning Provosts of Federal Universities listed in the University Ranking Sheet - (RUF) in 2013. We chose to restrict the sample listing only the provosts of the 20 best-placed universities in the ranking of the Federal Universities. The research instrument was composed of 26 questions, of which 6 questions were designed to identify the profile of the manager, 16 questions of perception (manifested variables) on the importance of quality management in the University, where the managers assigned values (answers) to the affirmatives (that address the main topic of this thesis) based on a Likert scale of 5 points, and 4 open and optional questions, in order to identify general management practices used. It was used for statistical analysis (data analysis) descriptive and factorial statistics. The responses collected through the questionnaire portray the managers´ perception regarding the importance of quality management in their institutions. Sixteen variables were addressed, the results of factor analysis of importance were "Important" and "Very Important", where the variable (V2) was "Important" and all others "Very important." With this information, it is possible to prioritize some areas that deserve immediate action. As it was observed that some variables are "Very important" for the vast majority of managers, others did not show the same result as example (V2, V10, V11). It is concluded that the manager´s perception of quality management in his or her institution is relevant, but the same importance is not given to quality programs implemented in other segments of the economy, and that, despite the advancements offered by SINAES, the model does not evaluate the institution in a global way. Thus, with the results, it is expected to contribute to the advancement of the subject, trying to arouse interest from the managers of Federal Universities in the subject, emphasizing the importance of quality management systems as a necessary tool to raise the institutional quality

Avaliação da interação universidade - empresas - governo no desenvolvimento de projetos inovadores no RN por micro e pequenas empresas

Knowledge and innovation were seen as major forces, both for survival, as the acquisition of competitive advantages in the Brazilian economy, as well as adding value to the product as a market differentiator. The Triple Helix model is directed toward the knowledge-based economy. Over the past six years, the Federal Government through the Financier of Studies and Projects ( FINEP ) invested in technological innovation projects, economic subsidies, about U.S. $ 1 billion supporting more than 800 projects with these resources. According to the MCTI , the Northeast, over the years 2000 to 2010 increased spending on Science and Technology (considering the activities of research and development more scientific and related activities) of the State Government in relation to its total revenue In 2000, 0.51% of total revenues were invested in Science & Technology, while in 2010 this figure increased to 1.31%. Among the nine Northeast states, Paraíba is highlighted. In 2000, 0.33% of its total revenues were directed to innovation, reaching 2.04% in 2010, the largest increase in the region while the RN invested 0.24% in 2000 and in 2010 reached the level of 1.42 %. According to IBGE, in the period 2000-2011, the micro and small enterprises surpassed the barrier of 6 million establishments. In 2000, there were 4.2 million establishments while in 2011 were 6.3 million active establishments. Therefore, throughout the period, there was a creation of approximately 2.1 million new establishments. Between 2000 and 2011, micro and small businesses have created 7.0 million formal jobs, 8.6 million jobs in 2000 to 15.6 million in 2011. This scenario shows the importance of this study in relation to the investment of governments in RD & I in micro and small enterprises. This study aims to analyze the interaction Universities - Business - Government in the development of innovation in micro and small companies in Rio Grande do Norte participants of the edicts of Inova FAPERN. We chose to adopt as a research method case study concerning the procedure of the research, exploratory, descriptive, and on documents with engineers and researchers of innovation projects approved by PAPPE Subsidy (Inova -RN I, II and III). Data collection was done through the report made by FAPERN entitled: " Evaluation of companies financed and supported by the Grant Program for Technological Innovation for Micro and Small Enterprises RN - INOVA -RN " (2010) and a questionnaire with 40 closed questions and 1 opened to 30 affirmative composed based on a 5-point Likert scale. The analysis of data was qualitative and quantitative. The study provided to identify the importance and barriers arising from the relation between Government Enterprise (micro and small) and University as essential to the economic development of the region. It was also identified that, in the innovation projects, 70% of the goods or services originating from research were to market these, 50% resulted in a patent for the company and 80% publications of scientific articles

Um estimador de estado trifásico para sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica com base no método da soma de potências

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Análise do espalhamento espectral em superfícies de estruturas complexas para comunicações móveis

In this work, the transmission line method is explored on the study of the propagation phenomenon in nonhomogeneous walls with finite thickness. It is evaluated the efficiency and applicability of the method, considering materials like gypsum, wood and brick, found in the composition of the structures of walls in question. The results obtained in this work are compared to those available in the literature, for several particular cases. A good agreement is observed, showing that the performed analysis is accurate and efficient in modeling, for instance, the wave propagation through building walls and integrated circuit layers in mobile communication and radar system applications. Later, simulations of resistive sheets devices such as Salisbury screens and Jaumann absorbers and of transmission lines made of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) are made. Thereafter, it is described a study on frequency surface selective structures (FSS). It is proposed the development of devices and microwave integrated circuits (MIC) of such structures, for the accomplishment of experiments. Finally, future works are suggested, for instance, on the development of reflectarrays, frequency selective surfaces with dissimilar elements, and coupled frequency selective surfaces with elements located on different layers

Simulador computacional para poços de petróleo com método de elevação artificial por bombeio mecânico

This work proposes a computer simulator for sucker rod pumped vertical wells. The simulator is able to represent the dynamic behavior of the systems and the computation of several important parameters, allowing the easy visualization of several pertinent phenomena. The use of the simulator allows the execution of several tests at lower costs and shorter times, than real wells experiments. The simulation uses a model based on the dynamic behavior of the rod string. This dynamic model is represented by a second order partial differencial equation. Through this model, several common field situations can be verified. Moreover, the simulation includes 3D animations, facilitating the physical understanding of the process, due to a better visual interpretation of the phenomena. Another important characteristic is the emulation of the main sensors used in sucker rod pumping automation. The emulation of the sensors is implemented through a microcontrolled interface between the simulator and the industrial controllers. By means of this interface, the controllers interpret the simulator as a real well. A "fault module" was included in the simulator. This module incorporates the six more important faults found in sucker rod pumping. Therefore, the analysis and verification of these problems through the simulator, allows the user to identify such situations that otherwise could be observed only in the field. The simulation of these faults receives a different treatment due to the different boundary conditions imposed to the numeric solution of the problem. Possible applications of the simulator are: the design and analysis of wells, training of technicians and engineers, execution of tests in controllers and supervisory systems, and validation of control algorithms