A formação de rede para o atendimento de desastres de massa: o caso do acidente aéreo do voo 447 da Air France

Este estudo teve por objetivo verificar como as características do modelo de rede se manifestam em resposta a desastres de massa, por meio de um estudo de caso. O objeto dessa pesquisa foi o acidente aéreo do voo 447 da Air France, que aconteceu em meados de 2009, no Oceano Atlântico em área próxima ao arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo, circunscrição do estado de Pernambuco. A rede formada para a resposta a esse acidente foi composta pela Aeronáutica, Marinha, Polícia Federal, Secretaria de Defesa Social de Pernambuco, INTERPOL e Secretaria de Estado da Segurança e da Defesa Social da Paraíba, tendo ainda a participação de outras instituições, que forneceram suporte logístico de pessoas e recursos em geral para a missão. As atividades desenvolvidas durante o evento compreenderam busca e resgate dos corpos, sob a coordenação da Aeronáutica e da Marinha, pré-identificação dos corpos, sob a coordenação da Polícia Federal e da Secretaria de Defesa Social de Pernambuco, necrópsia dos corpos e coleta de material postmortem, sob a coordenação da Secretaria de Defesa Social de Pernambuco e da Secretaria de Estado da Segurança e da Defesa Social da Paraíba, coleta de material antemortem, sob a coordenação da INTERPOL e da Polícia Federal, e identificação dos corpos, que teve como coordenadores a Polícia Federal e a Secretaria de Defesa Social de Pernambuco. A pesquisa realizada compreendeu três momentos distintos: a) montagem da estrutura da rede, b) análise das etapas de gerenciamento e, c) identificação das características da rede. A montagem da estrutura da rede permitiu conhecer em detalhes a rede formada, seus integrantes, objetivos e funcionamento, e subsidiar as etapas seguintes. Com isso foi possível fazer uma análise das etapas de gerenciamento da rede, a ativação, o enquadramento, a mobilização e a síntese, e como cada uma delas aconteceu na rede de atendimento do voo 447 da Air France. Por fim, foi possível identificar as principais características do modelo de rede, a pluralidade, a horizontalidade, a capilaridade, a interdependência, a flexibilidade e a dinâmica do estado, e verificar como elas se manifestaram na missão de resposta ao acidente aéreo do voo 447 da Air France.

Redes nas organizações públicas: o problema de controle

O presente estudo, de natureza exploratória e descritiva, objetiva verificar e analisar de que forma as organizações públicas ao atuar adotando o modelo em rede equacionam o problema do controle. Para alcançar tal objetivo foi realizado levantamento a partir do referencial teórico com a finalidade de identificar um perfil da administração pública burocrática e as mudanças trazidas com a adoção de estratégias propostas pela administração pública gerencial, de forma a cotejar suas premissas e propostas com o modelo em rede interorganizacional, no qual se pressupõe que as organizações se integrem e interajam com vistas à consecução de objetivos e interesses comuns e/ou complementares. A partir da identificação dos diferenciais do modelo em rede, a exemplo da flexibilidade, colaboração, complementaridade e confiança, o foco da análise se concentrou nas características, vantagens e desvantagens que este modelo traz enfocando, de modo especial, as formas e os instrumentos de controle. Enquanto no modelo burocrático a ênfase do controle se dá nos processos e através do sistema racional-legal, a atuação em rede encontra dificuldades para estabelecer mecanismos de controle e monitoramento, problemas esses materializados justamente pelo caráter autônomo das organizações participantes e a ausência de hierarquia formal entre os atores envolvidos. O estudo investigou o funcionamento do sistema de defesa social do Estado da Bahia voltado para a redução da criminalidade e violência naquele Estado. A partir da análise do caso observou-se que para minimizar as dificuldades do modelo em rede quanto ao controle e responsabilização, uma das soluções indicadas é a construção de objetivos e metas de forma pactuada, monitorados de forma compartilhada por um núcleo de gestão formado por representantes de cada uma das organizações envolvidas, de modo a resolver tempestivamente problemas e alinhar a busca pelos objetivos.

WISE-MANager: criação e gestão de sessões colaborativas em redes de sensores sem fio

As redes de sensores sem fios (WSN- WSN-Wireless Sensor Network) utilizam um grande número de dispositivos sem fios (sensores), que são de baixo custo e equipados com interfaces wireless. Utilizam um conjunto de sensores autónomos que colaboram entre si para efectuar a monitorização das condições ambientais, tais como: temperatura, oxigénio, luz, humidade, pressão, gases poluentes, entre outras. Estas redes podem operar durante largos períodos de tempo, sem intervenção humana, sendo que esse tempo depende do nível de bateria desses nós. De modo a que os gestores de um Museu possam gerir de forma mais adequada as obras de arte e arquivos históricos, surge o projecto WISE-MUSE – Environmental Monitoring based on Wireless Sensor Networks, que permite implementar soluções para a monitorização museológica, com a utilização de redes de sensores sem fios. Actualmente, a colaboração entre o utilizador e a WSN é muito ténue, sendo que apenas existe colaboração entre os nós sensores. De forma a aumentar esta colaboração, e no âmbito do projecto WISE-MUSE surge o CWSN – Collaborative Wireless Sensor Network Model, que define um modelo de colaboração na rede de sensores sem fios, permitindo a utilização de sessões colaborativas para a monitorização da rede. Com o intuito de obter o máximo rendimento da rede, é necessário definir qual o deployment a utilizar. O tipo de deployment de uma WSN é a forma como os nós são distribuídos pela rede. Em zonas longínquas, ou de difícil acesso, os nós são colocados de forma aleatória, por exemplo, caiem de um avião. Nos locais de fácil acesso, podem ser colocados no local exacto. Portanto, este projecto de Mestrado de Engenharia Informática apresenta duas contribuições principais: (i) um estudo de propagação no Museu da Baleia; e; (ii) o WISE-MANager, um sistema de gestão de sessões colaborativas. De forma a definir qual o deployment da rede a instalar no Museu da Baleia, será apresentado um estudo de propagação do sinal empírico, que determinou a melhor posição física dos nós, para que a rede tenha uma boa performance. O sistema WISE-MANager permite a criação, monitorização e gestão de sessões colaborativas numa WSN baseada no protocolo Zigbee. O intuito da utilização de sessões colaborativas é proporcionar uma melhor interacção entre o utilizador e a WSN, visto que o utilizador pode personalizar o tipo de monitorização a efectuar (por nó sensor, por fenómeno ou por intervalo de tempo), e interrogar à rede e aos seus componentes, aumentando assim a flexibilidade da WSN.A gestão de redes de sensores sem fios é muito importante para que o utilizador tenha controlo sobre a mesma ao saber quais os dispositivos da rede, assim como o seu nível de energia. Por tanto, através de WISE-MANager, os gestores do Museu serão capazes de analisar a rede, detectar eventuais problemas e obter parâmetros específicos.

Modelagem e medições de ondas de rádio para predição de perda de propagação em ambientes urbanos

In this dissertation new models of propagation path loss predictions are proposed by from techniques of optimization recent and measures of power levels for the urban and suburban areas of Natal, city of Brazilian northeast. These new proposed models are: (i) a statistical model that was implemented based in the addition of second-order statistics for the power and the altimetry of the relief in model of linear losses; (ii) a artificial neural networks model used the training of the algorithm backpropagation, in order to get the equation of propagation losses; (iii) a model based on the technique of the random walker, that considers the random of the absorption and the chaos of the environment and than its unknown parameters for the equation of propagation losses are determined through of a neural network. The digitalization of the relief for the urban and suburban areas of Natal were carried through of the development of specific computational programs and had been used available maps in the Statistics and Geography Brazilian Institute. The validations of the proposed propagation models had been carried through comparisons with measures and propagation classic models, and numerical good agreements were observed. These new considered models could be applied to any urban and suburban scenes with characteristic similar architectural to the city of Natal

Desenvolvimento de antenas de microfita com aberturas nos patches condutores através do método da segmentação

Microstrip antennas are widely used in modern telecommunication systems. This is particularly due to the great variety of geometries and because they are easily built and integrated to other high frequency devices and circuits. This work presents a study of the properties of the microstrip antenna with an aperture impressed in the conducting patch. Besides, the analysis is performed for isotropic and anisotropic dielectric substrates. The Multiport Network Model MNM is used in combination with the Segmentation Method and the Greens function technique in the analysis of the considered microstrip antenna geometries. The numerical analysis is performed by using the boundary value problem solution, by considering separately the impedance matrix of the structure segments. The analysis for the complete structure is implemented by choosing properly the number and location of the neighboor element ports. The numerial analysis is performed for the following antenna geometries: resonant cavity, microstrip rectangular patch antenna, and microstrip rectangular patch antenna with aperture. The analysis is firstly developed for microstrip antennas on isotropic substrates, and then extended to the case of microstrip antennas on anisotropic substrates by using a Mapping Method. The experimental work is described and related to the development of several prototypes of rectangular microstrip patch antennas wtih and without rectangular apertures. A good agreement was observed between the simulated and measured results. Thereafter, a good agreement was also observed between the results of this work and those shown in literature for microstrip antennas on isotropic substrates. Furthermore, results are proposed for rectangular microstrip patch antennas wtih rectangular apertures in the conducting patch

Estudo Comparativo de Métricas de Pontuação para Aprendizagem Estrutural de Redes Bayesianas

Bayesian networks are powerful tools as they represent probability distributions as graphs. They work with uncertainties of real systems. Since last decade there is a special interest in learning network structures from data. However learning the best network structure is a NP-Hard problem, so many heuristics algorithms to generate network structures from data were created. Many of these algorithms use score metrics to generate the network model. This thesis compare three of most used score metrics. The K-2 algorithm and two pattern benchmarks, ASIA and ALARM, were used to carry out the comparison. Results show that score metrics with hyperparameters that strength the tendency to select simpler network structures are better than score metrics with weaker tendency to select simpler network structures for both metrics (Heckerman-Geiger and modified MDL). Heckerman-Geiger Bayesian score metric works better than MDL with large datasets and MDL works better than Heckerman-Geiger with small datasets. The modified MDL gives similar results to Heckerman-Geiger for large datasets and close results to MDL for small datasets with stronger tendency to select simpler network structures

Degradação fotoquímica de hidrocarbonetos da gasolina em efluentes aquosos

Photo-oxidation processes of toxic organic compounds have been widely studied. This work seeks the application of the photo-Fenton process for the degradation of hydrocarbons in water. The gasoline found in the refinery, without additives and alcohol, was used as the model pollutant. The effects of the concentration of the following substances have been properly evaluated: hydrogen peroxide (100-200 mM), iron ions (0.5-1 mM) and sodium chloride (200 2000 ppm). The experiments were accomplished in reactor with UV lamp and in a falling film solar reactor. The photo-oxidation process was monitored by measurements of the absorption spectra, total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Experimental results demonstrated that the photo-Fenton process is feasible for the treatment of wastewaters containing aliphatic hydrocarbons, inclusive in the presence of salts. These conditions are similar to the water produced by the petroleum fields, generated in the extraction and production of petroleum. A neural network model of process correlated well the observed data for the photooxidation process of hydrocarbons

Contribuições ao estudo das redes complexas: modelo de qualidade

In this work we analyse the implications of using a power law distribution of vertice's quality in the growth dynamics of a network studied by Bianconi anel Barabási. In particular, we start studying the random networks which characterize or are related to some real situations, for instance the tide movement. In this context of complex networks, we investigate several real networks, as well as we define some important concepts in the network studies. Furthermore, we present the first scale-free network model, which was proposed by Barabási et al., and a modified model studied by Bianconi and Barabási, where now the preferential attachment incorporates the different ability (fitness) of the nodes to compete for links. At the end, our results, discussions and conclusions are presented

A novel approach for solving constrained nonlinear optimization problems using neurofuzzy systems

A neural network model for solving constrained nonlinear optimization problems with bounded variables is presented in this paper. More specifically, a modified Hopfield network is developed and its internal parameters are completed using the valid-subspace technique. These parameters guarantee the convergence of the network to the equilibrium points. The network is shown to be completely stable and globally convergent to the solutions of constrained nonlinear optimization problems. A fuzzy logic controller is incorporated in the network to minimize convergence time. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed approach.

Abordagem dirigida a modelos para redes de sensores sem fio

Research on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) has evolved, with potential applications in several domains. However, the building of WSN applications is hampered by the need of programming in low-level abstractions provided by sensor OS and of specific knowledge about each application domain and each sensor platform. We propose a MDA approach do develop WSN applications. This approach allows domain experts to directly contribute in the developing of applications without needing low level knowledge on WSN platforms and, at the same time, it allows network experts to program WSN nodes to met application requirements without specific knowledge on the application domain. Our approach also promotes the reuse of the developed software artifacts, allowing an application model to be reused across different sensor platforms and a platform model to be reused for different applications

Dinâmica e estrutura de redes complexas no modelo de afinidade

In this work we elaborate and discuss a Complex Network model which presents connectivity scale free probability distribution (power-law degree distribution). In order to do that, we modify the rule of the preferential attachment of the Bianconi-Barabasi model, including a factor which represents the similarity of the sites. The term that corresponds to this similarity is called the affinity, and is obtained by the modulus of the difference between the fitness (or quality) of the sites. This variation in the preferential attachment generates very interesting results, by instance the time evolution of the connectivity, which follows a power-law distribution ki / ( t t0 )fi, where fi indicates the rate to the site gain connections. Certainly this depends on the affinity with other sites. Besides, we will show by numerical simulations results for the average path length and for the clustering coefficient

Stretched-exponential behavior and random walks on diluted hypercubic lattices

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Allocation of the cost of transmission losses in a multimarket framework

The paper addresses the issue of apportioning of the cost of transmission losses to generators and demands in a multimarket framework. Line flows are unbundled using equivalent bilateral exchanges on a DC-network model and allocated to generators and demands. Losses are then calculated based on unbundled flows and straightforwardly apportioned to generators and demands. The proposed technique is particularly useful in a multimarket framework, where all markets have a common grid operator with complete knowledge of all network data, as is the case of the Brazilian electric-energy system. The methodology proposed is illustrated using the IEEE Reliability Test System and compared numerically with an alternative technique. Appropriate conclusions are drawn. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2006.

Orientation, building height and sky view factor as energy efficiency design parameters

The energy efficiency of buildings should be a goal at the pre-design phase, though the importance of the design variables is often neglected even during the design process. Highlighting the relevance of these design variables, this research studies the relationships of building location variables with the electrical energy consumption of residential units. The following building design parameters are considered: orientation, story height and sky view factor (SVF). The consideration of the SVF as a location variable contributes to the originality of this research. Data of electrical energy consumption and users' profiles were collected and several variables were considered for the development of an Artificial Neural Network model. This model allows the determination of the relative importance of each variable. The results show that the apartments' orientation is the most important design variable for the energy consumption, although the story height and the sky view factor play a fundamental role in that consumption too. We pointed out that building heights above twenty-four meters do not optimize the energy efficiency of the apartments and also that an increasing SVF can influence the energy consumption of an apartment according to their orientation.

Exploring the multifactorial nature of autism through computational systems biology: Calcium and the Rho GTPase RAC1 under the spotlight

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication accompanied with repetitive behavioral patterns and unusual stereotyped interests. Autism is considered a highly heterogeneous disorder with diverse putative causes and associated factors giving rise to variable ranges of symptomatology. Incidence seems to be increasing with time, while the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain virtually uncharacterized (or unknown). By systematic review of the literature and a systems biology approach, our aims were to examine the multifactorial nature of autism with its broad range of severity, to ascertain the predominant biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions integral to the disorder, and finally, to elucidate the most central contributions (genetic and/or environmental) in silico. With this goal, we developed an integrative network model for gene-environment interactions (GENVI model) where calcium (Ca2+) was shown to be its most relevant node. Moreover, considering the present data from our systems biology approach together with the results from the differential gene expression analysis of cerebellar samples from autistic patients, we believe that RAC1, in particular, and the RHO family of GTPases, in general, could play a critical role in the neuropathological events associated with autism. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.