Knowledge cities: a taxonomy for analyzing software and information service clusters

Software and information services (SIS) have become a field of increasing opportunities for international trade due to the worldwide diffusion of a combination of technological and organizational innovations. In several regions, the software industry is organized in clusters, usually referred to as "knowledge cities" because of the growing importance of knowledge-intensive services in their economy. This paper has two primary objectives. First, it raises three major questions related to the attractiveness of different cities in Argentina and Brazil for hosting software companies and to their impact on local development. Second, a new taxonomy is proposed for grouping clusters according to their dominant business segment, ownership pattern and scope of operations. The purpose of this taxonomy is to encourage further studies and provide an exploratory analytical tool for analyzing software clusters.

Clusters e APL's: análise bibliométrica das publicações nacionais no período de 2000 a 2011

O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar as publicações científicas sobre clusters e arranjos produtivos locais (APL's) no Brasil, no período de 2000 a 2011. Realizou-se a pesquisa em periódicos, classificados pela Qualis (Capes), das áreas de Administração, Economia e Engenharia, obtendo-se um total de 80 artigos. A análise permitiu identificar as características das publicações quanto às abordagens metodológicas e os métodos de pesquisa, os autores mais referenciados, os clusters e APL's pesquisados e os temas mais estudados. Verificou-se a tendência das pesquisas recentes de empregar abordagens teóricas com maior ênfase na questão da cooperação. Constatou-se que a pesquisa empírica, em geral, restringe-se a identificar a existência de clusters em determinadas localidades e a descrevê-los com base no tema de pesquisa escolhido. Portanto, existe uma oportunidade para avanço da pesquisa e para uma efetiva contribuição para o desenvolvimento da teoria.

Pulmonary tuberculosis in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil: space and space-time risk clusters for death (2008-2012)

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to identify space and space-time risk clusters for the occurrence of deaths in a priority city for the control of tuberculosis (TB) in the Brazilian Northeast. METHODS: Ecological research was undertaken in the City of São Luis/Maranhão. Cases were considered that resulted in deaths in the population living in the urban region of the city with pulmonary TB as the basic cause, between 2008 and 2012. To detect space and space-time clusters of deaths due to pulmonary TB in the census sectors, the spatial analysis scan technique was used. RESULTS: In total, 221 deaths by TB occurred, 193 of which were due to pulmonary TB. Approximately 95% of the cases (n=183) were geocoded. Two significant spatial clusters were identified, the first of which showed a mortality rate of 5.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants per year and a high relative risk of 3.87. The second spatial cluster showed a mortality rate of 0.4 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants per year and a low relative risk of 0.10. A significant cluster was observed in the space-time analysis between 11/01/2008 and 04/30/2011, with a mortality rate of 8.10 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants per year and a high relative risk (3.0). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of priority sites for the occurrence of deaths can support public management to reduce inequities in the access to health services and permit an optimization of the resources and teams in the control of pulmonary TB, providing support for specific strategies focused on the most vulnerable populations.

RFLP clusters of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from the Indian Ocean Region: local and South Asian characteristics

This is the first study describing the genetic polymorphism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in the Indian Ocean Region. Using IS6110 RFLP analysis, 475 M. tuberculosis isolates from Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Mozambique and La Reunion were compared. Of the 332 IS6110 profiles found, 43 were shared by clusters containing 2-65 strains. Six clusters were common to at least two countries. Of 52 families of strains with similar IS6110 profiles, 10 were common to at least two countries. Interestingly, another characteristic was the frequency (16.8%) of IS6110 single-copy strains. These strains could be distinguished using the DR marker. This preliminary evaluation suggests genetic similarity between the strains of the Indian Ocean Region. However, additional markers would be useful for epidemiological studies and to assess the ancient transmission of strains between countries of this region.

Time-based distribution of Staphylococcus saprophyticus pulsed field gel-electrophoresis clusters in community-acquired urinary tract infections

The epidemiology of urinary tract infections (UTI) by Staphylococcus saprophyticus has not been fully characterised and strain typing methods have not been validated for this agent. To evaluate whether epidemiological relationships exist between clusters of pulsed field gel-electrophoresis (PFGE) genotypes of S. saprophyticus from community-acquired UTI, a cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In total, 32 (16%) female patients attending two walk-in clinics were culture-positive for S. saprophyticus. Five PFGE clusters were defined and evaluated against epidemiological data. The PFGE clusters were grouped in time, suggesting the existence of community point sources of S. saprophyticus. From these point sources, S. saprophyticus strains may spread among individuals.

Propriedades e aplicações de clusters trinucleares de carboxilatos de rutênio

A review with 94 references focusing on mu3-oxo-triruthenium carboxylate clusters is presented. The electronic, magnetic, electrochemical, and catalytic properties of these compounds are discussed. Main synthetic routes and structural characteristics, including their use as building blocks in supramolecular systems are described.

Metodologia AGOA: a modelagem de clusters de hidratação no complexo aziridina···ácido fluorídrico

We present a theoretical study of solvent effect on C2H5N···HF hydrogen-bonded complex through the application of the AGOA methodology. By using the TIP4P model to orientate the configuration of water molecules, the hydration clusters generated by AGOA were obtained through the analysis of the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of solute (C2H5N···HF). Thereby, it was calculated the hydration energies on positive and negative MEP fields, which are maxima (PEMmax) and minima (PEMmin) when represent the -CH2- methylene groups and hydrofluoric acid, respectively. By taking into account the higher and lower hydration energy values of -370.6 kJ mol-1 and -74.3 kJ mol-1 for PEMmax and PEMmin of the C2H5N···HF, our analysis shows that these results corroborate the open ring reaction of aziridine, in which the preferential attack of water molecules occurs at the methylene groups of this heterocyclic.

Interação de átomos leves com clusters de metais de transição

Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on the interactions of small atoms (H, C, O, and S) on first-row transition metal clusters were performed. The results show that the adsorption site may vary between the metal surface and the edge of the cluster. The adsorption energies, adatom-nearest neighbor and adatom-metal plane distances were also determined. Finally, the authors present a discussion about the performance of these metals as anodes on solid oxide fuel cells. The results obtained agree with empirical data, indicating that the theoretical model used is adequate

A regra de Bent contextualiza a força da ligação de hidrogênio em clusters trimoleculares

This article presents a theoretical study of the molecular properties of trimolecular clusters of CnHm∙∙∙HCN∙∙∙HX formed by the ϖ∙∙∙H and n∙∙∙H hydrogen bonds. The interaction strengths of these interactions are in line with the variations in s-character, and independently, the red-shift rise whether stronger or weaker bound systems are carried out. This behavior was justified via NBO analysis and supported by Bent´s rule, wherein the greater variations in s-character of X are in good agreement with larger red-shifts and vice-versa. To conclude, the refinement of the supermolecule approach and NBO binding energies also corroborate in this regard.

Genetic diversity in sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) by using RAPD markers

Genetic diversity in a collection of 64 sugar apple accessions collected from different municipalities in northern Minas Gerais was assessed by RAPD analysis. Using 20 selected RAPD primers 167 fragments were generated, of which 48 were polymorphic (28.7%) producing an average of 2.4 polymorphic fragments per primer. Low percentage of polymorphism (< 29%) was observed by using the set of primers indicating low level of genetic variation among the 64 accessions evaluated. Genetic relationships were estimated using Jaccard's coefficient of similarity. Accessions from different municipalities clustered together indicating no correlation between molecular grouping and geographical origin. The dendrogram revealed five clusters. The first cluster grouped C19 and G29 accessions collected from the municipalities of Verdelândia and Monte Azul, respectively. The second cluster grouped G16 and B11 accessions collected from the municipalities of Monte Azul and Coração de Jesus, respectively. The remaining accessions were grouped in three clusters, with 8, 15 and 37 accessions, respectively. In summary, RAPD showed a low percentage of polymorphism in the germplasm collection.

Influence of strawberry jam color and phenolic compounds on acceptance during storage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the color and phenolic compounds of strawberry jam on acceptance during storage. Jams were processed, stored for 120 days and evaluated monthly for chromatic characteristics, total phenolic compounds, total anthocyanins (ANT), total ellagic acid (TEA), flavonoids and free ellagic acid (FEA), and sensory acceptance as well. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Cluster Analysis and Partial Least Square Regression (PLS) were performed to investigate the relationships between instrumental data and acceptance. Contents of ANT, TEA and redness decreased during storage. Other chemical characteristics and sensory acceptance showed a nonlinear behavior. Higher acceptance was observed after 60 days, suggesting a trend of quality improvement followed by decline to the initial levels. The same trend was observed for lightness, non-pigment flavonoids and FEA. According to PLS map, for consumers in cluster 2, acceptance was associated to jams at 60 days and to luminosity, FEA, and non-pigment flavonoids. For cluster 1, a positive association between flavor liking, jam at initial storage, and the contents of TEA and ANT was indicated. Jams at 120 days were positively associated to hue and negatively associated to color liking, for cluster 1. Color and texture were positively correlated to overall liking for cluster 2, whereas for cluster 1, overall acceptance seemed to be more associated to flavor liking. Changes in color and phenolic compounds slightly influenced the acceptance of strawberry jams, but in different ways for consumers clusters.

SATISFACCIÓN: DETERMINANTE DE LA FAMILIARIDAD DEL DESTINO TURÍSTICO

Este estudio pretende probar que la satisfacción obtenida por el turista, es consecuencia del beneficio funcional, hedónico y simbólico adquirido en el lugar. Y a su vez, probar si la satisfacción es un antecedente, para que el destino turístico le sea más familiar. A través de un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC), se identificaron diferentes escalas que permitieron medir dichas relaciones. Se utilizó un muestreo no probabilístico con base en cuotas, en proporción a destinos turísticos visitados en Chile. La relación entre la percepción de beneficios como antecedente de la satisfacción, puede ser muy importante para que el destino turístico sea percibido como más familiar que otros. Este estudio sugiere que la satisfacción cumple un rol mediador muy importante, entre la percepción de beneficios y la familiaridad del destino turístico. Las autoridades deberían considerar la triada de beneficios como base para establecer estrategias de marketing que busquen potenciar la satisfacción.

Aparato institucional para a gestão do turismo: o caso do estado de Sergipe

O turismo é um fenômeno cuja importância vem crescendo no mundo contemporâneo. Devido ao seu caráter transversal e complexo, são múltiplos os desafios para o gerenciamento de suas atividades setoriais. Partindo dessas premissas, este artigo analisa de que forma a estrutura organizacional do turismo, da maneira como está configurada, dificulta a sua gestão no caso do estado de Sergipe. Para tanto, utilizou-se pesquisa documental e entrevistas com técnicos e gerentes das três unidades administrativas que compõem o aparato institucional de gestão do turismo. Os resultados revelaram que a estrutura organizacional prejudica a gestão do turismo na medida em que há sobreposições de função tanto intra quanto interorganizacionais, baixa institucionalização dos processos de planejamento, desenvolvimento e marketing turísticos, pouca articulação entre os órgãos.

Análise do desenvolvimento de Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APLs): um estudo de caso do município de Paraty (RJ)

Este trabalho aborda o desenvolvimento local no município de Paraty, através da formação de APLs, especificamente neste caso voltados para a atividade turística. Através de informações obtidas por análise documental e entrevistas, pode-se analisar as potencialidades da região e apontar caminhos para incremento de sua competitividade, principalmente no que tange à integração e à formação de parcerias entre empresas, comunidade e poder público. Além disso, foram feitas sugestões para superar obstáculos, vencer desafios e aproveitar oportunidades, baseadas na vocação turística, para que a região se torne competitiva no mercado de destinos turísticos, fidelizando e ampliando a base de turistas, através do melhor aproveitamento de seus encantos naturais, históricos e culturais. Os principais resultados mostram que Paraty carece de melhorias de infraestrutura para desenvolver o turismo local, que vão desde o saneamento básico até o melhor treinamento e capacitação de mão de obra. Além disso, toda a estrutura existente ainda não pode ser considerada efetivamente um APL, apesar de já se observar uma organização da rede de pequenas e médias empresas voltada para o desenvolvimento turístico sustentável do município. O que se encontra, em termos de organização em rede, é um APL ainda informal, onde praticamente inexiste a liderança e a confiança interna.