Prospectiva estrat??gica: instrumento para a constru????o do futuro e para a elabora????o de pol??ticas p??blicas

A prospectiva estrat??gica aparece como ferramenta que, apoiada nos instrumentos de an??lise econ??mica e social existentes e em t??cnicas espec??ficas, como o Delphi, a constru????o de cen??rios, a matriz de impactos cruzados e outras, possibilita ???vis??es de futuro???, que permitir??o a elabora????o de pol??ticas p??blicas que visem ?? constru????o de futuro desej??vel. Este trabalho pressup??e um Estado formulador de pol??ticas p??blicas e detentor de instrumentos de planejamento, o que nos remete a um vi??s ideol??gico: de que, no capitalismo contempor??neo, Estado e mercado coordenem os sistemas econ??micos, conforme explicitado no Plano Diretor da Reforma do Aparelho de Estado (Governo Federal, Brasil, 1995). S?? a aceita????o dessa hip??tese pode supor a exist??ncia e a necessidade de pol??ticas p??blicas, remetendo-nos o campo da ideologia e contrapondo-nos ao liberalismo.

Fluxos globais e intra-urbanos : subsídios para seu planejamento em Vitória

One is about a study of the interactions and conflicts between the distinct scales of the flows of the global production and urban mobility on the territory of the city, particularly of Vitória, Espírito Santo. From this analysis of the consequences of the new technologies of the information, of the communication and the transports on the economic and humans relations, if it considers the study of the characteristics of the two layers that act on the territory. Of the scale of the global production, the impacts of the great corporations, its physical nets and its force had been considered as territorial agent in the creation and sponsorship of plans. In the analysis of the place, the intra-urban movements of human displacements e had been considered, mainly the reasons of the trips. From the overlapping of the above-mentioned layers if it looked for to observe the interactions, conflicts and synergies between the layers the intervention in the flows demand of a coherent planning of the atract regions of trips, so that areas with infrastructure lack and services of public transport are not overloaded. Finally, as objective generality, generate with the basis in the interactions found in the overlapping, a list of subsidies for the planning of the urban flows.

A edificação da cristandade no Oriente português: questões em torno da ordem dos eremitas de santo Agostinho no limiar do século XVII

O artigo oferece elementos para um estudo da Ordem dos Eremitas de Santo Agostinho da Província de Portugal na segunda metade do século XVI e primeiras décadas dos Seiscentos. Para tanto, três eixos de abordagem são destacados e procuram orientar a reflexão acerca de conjunturas diversas: a reforma religiosa da Ordem dos Eremitas de Santo Agostinho e as conexões cortesãs nos Quinhentos; o papel dos agostinhos na construção dos dispositivos disciplinares após o Concílio de Trento (1543-1563); e a presença da ordem no Índico.

Epidemiology of malaria, schistosomiasis, geohelminths, anemia and malnutrition in the context of a demographic surveillance system in Northern Angola

Background: Malaria, schistosomiasis and geohelminth infection are linked to maternal and child morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowing the prevalence levels of these infections is vital to guide governments towards the implementation of successful and cost-effective disease control initiatives. Methodology/Principal Findings: A cross-sectional study of 1,237 preschool children (0–5 year olds), 1,142 school-aged children (6–15 year olds) and 960 women (.15 year olds) was conducted to understand the distribution of malnutrition, anemia, malaria, schistosomiasis (intestinal and urinary) and geohelminths in a north-western province of Angola. We used a recent demographic surveillance system (DSS) database to select and recruit suitable households. Malnutrition was common among children (23.3% under-weight, 9.9% wasting and 32.2% stunting), and anemia was found to be a severe public health problem (i.e., .40%). Malaria prevalence was highest among preschool children reaching 20.2%. Microhematuria prevalence levels reached 10.0% of preschool children, 16.6% of school-aged children and 21.7% of mothers. Geohelminth infections were common, affecting 22.3% of preschool children, 31.6% of school-aged children and 28.0% of mothers. Conclusions: Here we report prevalence levels of malaria, schistosomiasis and geohelminths; all endemic in this poorly described area where a DSS has been recently established. Furthermore we found evidence that the studied infections are associated with the observed levels of anemia and malnutrition, which can justify the implementation of integrated interventions for the control of these diseases and morbidities.

A importância do programa preliminar e do projecto no âmbito da contratação pública

O Código dos contratos públicos (CCP) veio introduzir alguns novos conceitos, nas empreitadas de obras públicas, sobre erros e omissões e também sobre trabalhos a mais. Tais conceitos têm estado na origem de algumas polémicas envolvendo donos de obra, projectistas, fiscalizações, empreiteiros e técnicos. Por outro, quer à luz da anterior legislação quer ao abrigo da actual os desvios de preço e prazo, em empreitadas de obras públicas, continuam a ser frequentes, dir-se-á mesmo, praticamente uma constante e frequentemente alvo nos meios de comunicação. No âmbito desta dissertação pretende-se partilhar algumas reflexões emergentes da observação efectuada, como participante activo em diversos empreendimentos. Verificar-se-á ao longo da mesma dissertação que nela é atribuída grande relevância ao programa preliminar constante do Anexo I à Portaria n.º 701-H/2008 de 29 de Julho, que dá origem ao projecto. Com efeito, este documento embora a sua designação de preliminar possa induzir em erro, levando a conferir-lhe pouca importância, é, em boa verdade, o programa fundamental, para um bom entendimento entre o dono de obra e o projectista e subsequentemente com o empreiteiro. Nesta dissertação faz-se uma incursão pelos conteúdos mais relevantes do CCP, no âmbito dos desvios de preço e custo, das empreitadas de obras públicas. Procede-se, também, a uma análise detalhada e sequencial das fases e actividades que contribuem para a concretização de uma obra pública, observando simultaneamente o papel dos diversos intervenientes.

Evaluation of the respiratory motion effect in small animal PET images with GATE Monte Carlo simulations

The rapid growth in genetics and molecular biology combined with the development of techniques for genetically engineering small animals has led to increased interest in in vivo small animal imaging. Small animal imaging has been applied frequently to the imaging of small animals (mice and rats), which are ubiquitous in modeling human diseases and testing treatments. The use of PET in small animals allows the use of subjects as their own control, reducing the interanimal variability. This allows performing longitudinal studies on the same animal and improves the accuracy of biological models. However, small animal PET still suffers from several limitations. The amounts of radiotracers needed, limited scanner sensitivity, image resolution and image quantification issues, all could clearly benefit from additional research. Because nuclear medicine imaging deals with radioactive decay, the emission of radiation energy through photons and particles alongside with the detection of these quanta and particles in different materials make Monte Carlo method an important simulation tool in both nuclear medicine research and clinical practice. In order to optimize the quantitative use of PET in clinical practice, data- and image-processing methods are also a field of intense interest and development. The evaluation of such methods often relies on the use of simulated data and images since these offer control of the ground truth. Monte Carlo simulations are widely used for PET simulation since they take into account all the random processes involved in PET imaging, from the emission of the positron to the detection of the photons by the detectors. Simulation techniques have become an importance and indispensable complement to a wide range of problems that could not be addressed by experimental or analytical approaches.

Addressing the facilities layout design problem through constraint logic programming

One of the most difficult problems that face researchers experimenting with complex systems in real world applications is the Facility Layout Design Problem. It relies with the design and location of production lines, machinery and equipment, inventory storage and shipping facilities. In this work it is intended to address this problem through the use of Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) technology. The use of Genetic Algorithms (GA) as optimisation technique in CLP environment is also an issue addressed. The approach aims the implementation of genetic algorithm operators following the CLP paradigm.

An efficient method for optimal location and sizing of fixed and switched shunt capacitors in large distribution systems

This paper proposes a computationally efficient methodology for the optimal location and sizing of static and switched shunt capacitors in large distribution systems. The problem is formulated as the maximization of the savings produced by the reduction in energy losses and the avoided costs due to investment deferral in the expansion of the network. The proposed method selects the nodes to be compensated, as well as the optimal capacitor ratings and their operational characteristics, i.e. fixed or switched. After an appropriate linearization, the optimization problem was formulated as a large-scale mixed-integer linear problem, suitable for being solved by means of a widespread commercial package. Results of the proposed optimizing method are compared with another recent methodology reported in the literature using two test cases: a 15-bus and a 33-bus distribution network. For the both cases tested, the proposed methodology delivers better solutions indicated by higher loss savings, which are achieved with lower amounts of capacitive compensation. The proposed method has also been applied for compensating to an actual large distribution network served by AES-Venezuela in the metropolitan area of Caracas. A convergence time of about 4 seconds after 22298 iterations demonstrates the ability of the proposed methodology for efficiently handling large-scale compensation problems.

Ancillary service market simulation

Power systems operation in a liberalized environment requires that market players have access to adequate decision support tool, allowing them to consider all the business opportunities and take strategic decisions. Ancillary services represent a good negotiation opportunity that must be considered by market players. For this, decision support tools must include ancillary market simulation. This paper deals with ancillary services negotiation in electricity markets. The proposed concepts and methodologies are implemented in MASCEM, a multi-agent based electricity market simulator. A test case concerning the dispatch of ancillary services using two different methods (Linear Programming and Genetic Algorithm approaches) is included in the paper.

Occurrence of Diodon eydouxii (Actinopterygii: Diodontidae), in the Azores and comparison with Pacific specimens

A specimen of porcupine fish was collected by a fisherman at Terceira Island, Azores (north-eastern Atlantic), and identified as the pelagic porcupinefish, Diodon eydouxii Brisout de Barneville, 1846, a species recently recorded for the first time from the Azores. This record, together with an examination of the first reported specimen, allowed us to compare the external morphology with Pacific specimens. The possibility of this species to be relatively common in the Azores is discussed.

Need for, demand for, and use of European Union information

The discussion and analysis of the diverse outreach activities in this article provide guidance and suggestions for academic librarians who are interested in outreach and community engagement of any scale and nature. Cases are draw from a wide spectrum and are particularly strong in the setting of large academic libraries, special collections and programming for multicultural populations. The aim of this study is to present the results of research carried out regarding the needs, demand and consumption of European Union information by users in European Documentation Centres (EDC). A quantitative methodology was chosen based on a questionnaire with 24 items. This questionnaire was distributed within the EDC of Salamanca, Spain, and the EDC of Porto, Portugal, during specific time intervals between 2010 and 2011. We examined the level of EU information that EDC users possess, and identified the factors that facilitate or hinder access to EU information, the topics most demanded, and the types of documents consulted. Analysis was made of the use that the consumer of European information makes of databases and their behaviour during the consultation. Although the sample used was not very significant owing to its small size, it is a faithful reflection of the scarce visits made to EDCs. This study can be of use to managers of EDCs, providing them with better knowledge of the information needs and demands of their users. Ultimately this should lead to improvements in the services offered. The study lies within a frame of research scarcely addressed in specialized scholarly literature: European Union information.

Metabolic alterations in pregnant women: gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and controversy are old friends. The impact of GDM on maternal and fetal health has been increasingly recognized. Nevertheless, universal consensus on the diagnostic methods and thresholds has long been lacking. Published guidelines from major societies differ significantly from one another, with recommendations ranging from aggressive screening to no routine screening at all. As a result, real-world practice is equally varied. This article recaps the latest evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and classification of GDM. It reviews the current evidence base for intensive multidisciplinary treatment of GDM and provides recommendations for postpartum management to delay and/or prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.

Exemplo de vulcanismo tardio em Portugal- rocha ígnea post-Miocénico inferior (Figueira-Algarve)

A small outcrop of an igneous rock (basanite) was observed in 1971 at Figueira-Mexilhoeira Grande-Algarve, enclosed by Miocene limestone and showing clear evidente of low grade thermal effects along the contact with the igneous mass. This is in agreement with F. L. Pereira Sousa who was the first geologist to admit (1917) the existence of Miocene igneous rocks in Algarve although subsequently they were not possible to localize. This work reports studies on petrography and chemical composition of this basanite and describes the evidence of the thermal effects upon the surrounding calcareous rocks. This well localized small outcrop represents an igneous rock more modern than the basaltic complex of Lisbon, hitherto assigned to the Eocene in age and recently ascribed to the Upper Cretaceous and until now considered the most recent manifestation of volcanic activity in Portugal. However this does not exclude the possibility of existence of even more modem igneous rocks in Algarve region.

Fractional order calculus: basic concepts and engineering applications

The fractional order calculus (FOC) is as old as the integer one although up to recently its application was exclusively in mathematics. Many real systems are better described with FOC differential equations as it is a well-suited tool to analyze problems of fractal dimension, with long-term “memory” and chaotic behavior. Those characteristics have attracted the engineers' interest in the latter years, and now it is a tool used in almost every area of science. This paper introduces the fundamentals of the FOC and some applications in systems' identification, control, mechatronics, and robotics, where it is a promissory research field.

A simple approach to numerical modelling of propane combustion in fluidized beds

A mathematical model is proposed for the evolution of temperature, chemical composition, and energy release in bubbles, clouds, and emulsion phase during combustion of gaseous premixtures of air and propane in a bubbling fluidized bed. The analysis begins as the bubbles are formed at the orifices of the distributor, until they explode inside the bed or emerge at the free surface of the bed. The model also considers the freeboard region of the fluidized bed until the propane is thoroughly burned. It is essentially built upon the quasi-global mechanism of Hautman et al. (1981) and the mass and heat transfer equations from the two-phase model of Davidson and Harrison (1963). The focus is not on a new modeling approach, but on combining the classical models of the kinetics and other diffusional aspects to obtain a better insight into the events occurring inside a fluidized bed reactor. Experimental data are obtained to validate the model by testing the combustion of commercial propane, in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed, using four sand particle sizes: 400–500, 315–400, 250–315, and 200–250 µm. The mole fractions of CO2, CO, and O2 in the flue gases and the temperature of the fluidized bed are measured and compared with the numerical results.