Sensor-cloud computing : novel applications and research problems

Recent developments in sensor networks and cloud computing saw the emergence of a new platform called sensor-clouds. While the proposition of such a platform is to virtualise the management of physical sensor devices, we are seeing novel applications been created based on a new class of social sensors. Social sensors are effectively a human-device combination that sends torrent of data as a result of social interactions and social events. The data generated appear in different formats such as photographs, videos and short text messages. Unlike other sensor devices, social sensors operate on the control of individuals via their mobile devices such as a phone or a laptop. And unlike other sensors that generate data at a constant rate or format, social sensors generate data that are spurious and varied, often in response to events as individual as a dinner outing, or a news announcement of interests to the public. This collective presence of social data creates opportunities for novel applications never experienced before. This paper discusses such applications as a result of utilising social sensors within a sensor-cloud environment. Consequently, the associated research problems are also presented.

Influence of birth cohort on age of onset cluster analysis in bipolar I disorder

Two common approaches to identify subgroups of patients with bipolar disorder are clustering methodology (mixture analysis) based on the age of onset, and a birth cohort analysis. This study investigates if a birth cohort effect will influence the results of clustering on the age of onset, using a large, international database.

Influence of light exposure during early life on the age of onset of bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND: Environmental conditions early in life may imprint the circadian system and influence response to environmental signals later in life. We previously determined that a large springtime increase in solar insolation at the onset location was associated with a younger age of onset of bipolar disorder, especially with a family history of mood disorders. This study investigated whether the hours of daylight at the birth location affected this association. METHODS: Data collected previously at 36 collection sites from 23 countries were available for 3896 patients with bipolar I disorder, born between latitudes of 1.4 N and 70.7 N, and 1.2 S and 41.3 S. Hours of daylight variables for the birth location were added to a base model to assess the relation between the age of onset and solar insolation. RESULTS: More hours of daylight at the birth location during early life was associated with an older age of onset, suggesting reduced vulnerability to the future circadian challenge of the springtime increase in solar insolation at the onset location. Addition of the minimum of the average monthly hours of daylight during the first 3 months of life improved the base model, with a significant positive relationship to age of onset. Coefficients for all other variables remained stable, significant and consistent with the base model. CONCLUSIONS: Light exposure during early life may have important consequences for those who are susceptible to bipolar disorder, especially at latitudes with little natural light in winter. This study indirectly supports the concept that early life exposure to light may affect the long term adaptability to respond to a circadian challenge later in life.

Description of the Tadpole of Hylodes magalhaesi (Bokermann, 1964) (Anura: Hylodidae)

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

Correlation of properties of Brazilian Haplustalfs with magnetic susceptibility measurements

Magnetic susceptibility (chi, mass specific) is useful for easy indirect estimation of other soil properties at a low cost. The aim of this study was to assess the use of chi as measured with an analytical balance for predicting properties with a substantial influence on the management of Typic Haplustalfs in southern Brazil. To achieve this 48 topsoil samples were taken at the intersection points in a rectangular grid of 20 m x 20 m cells, with 38 of these used for calibration and 10 for validation in regression analyses. The obtained chi values were slightly higher than, and highly correlated (r = 0.970; P < 0.001) with those measured with a susceptibility meter. Highly significant (P < 0.001) correlations were also found between chi and other soil properties relevant to soil classification and management such as clay content (r = 0.68), cation exchange capacity (r = 0.62), P sorption capacity (r = 0.76) and haematite content (r = 0.82). Results from a principal component analysis of eight properties important for soil classification explained 11% of the variance in the data set. The good predictive ability of chi was consistent with current knowledge on the formation pathways for pedogenic ferrimagnets. In summary, chi, which can be readily measured with an analytical balance, has the potential for quantifying soil attributes and may therefore be used in pedotransfer functions.

Análisis sistémico de la agriculturización en la pampa húmeda argentina y sus consecuencias en regiones extra pampeanas: sostenibilidad, brechas de conocimiento e integración de políticas

Incluye Bibliografía

Um panorama sobre roll waves em escoamentos laminares e turbulentos com superfície livre

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Presepe: criação de uma realidade

O texto que segue tem como objetivo propor uma leitura do conto “Presepe”, de Guimarães Rosa, mostrando o caminho trilhado pelo personagem Tio Bola para reviver o momento do nascimento do menino Jesus, rompendo os limites impostos pela realidade e recuperando o instante sagrado, com todas as transformações que essa decisão acarreta ao personagem. O conto narra um instante mágico de elevação do sujeito, uma verdadeira torrente de imaginação, poesia e fé. Toda essa atmosfera está repleta de símbolos, que representam o coletivo e o individual, e compõem a trama poética do conto.

Uma nova espécie de Hylodes (Anura, Hylodidae) da Serra do Japi: descrição, modo reprodutivo e comunicação

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

Magnetic susceptibility and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to characterize the spatial variability of soil properties in a Brazilian Haplustalf

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

As concepções urbanísticas que impulsionaram o desenvolvimento do capitalismo e a reprodução da força de trabalho em São Paulo: sanear e excluir

This article aims to rank the main concepts in vogue in the city of São Paulo who contributed to the formulation of a shared urban oriented capitalist development and reproduction of the workforce. This way, it will discuss the main issues raised in the period, which is between the first decades of the XX Century to the end of the 1950s, trying to foresee how they worked as engineers and architects to incorporate the urbanistic proposals from Europe and the United States. And then, we will present, on the first four sections of this article, points of view that effectively impacted the paulista urban thought of the first half of the XX century: Sanitarism, pendular conception between the Mesologic Theory and the Microbian Theory; the Historicist formulation of Camillo Sitte; Howard´s garden-town and The French Experience. Our analyses were formulated having as a reference the broad systematization of bibliography and documents performed at the Arquivo Histórico Municipal (Intermediário) de Araraquara (Historical Municipal Archive from Araraquara), consultations at the the books of the library of the biblioteca da Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da USP (USP Architecture and Urbanism College) and at the Faculdade de Ciências e Letras da UNESP, Araraquara-SP( College of Sciences and Languages from UNESP, campus Araraquara). The analisys of the performed research show that one urbanistic torrent at São Paulo State with clear influences from the conceptions that led the urbanistic debates in the first half of the XX Century. Although these conceptions compose a painting of urban transformations at São Paulo city and noticeably in some inland cities, previously to the solidification of a whole proposition for the city that was later called of Directive Plan.

Escherichia coli from Crohn’s disease patient displays virulence features of enteroinvasive (EIEC), enterohemorragic (EHEC), and enteroaggregative (EAEC) pathotypes

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

Estudo de vulnerabilidade à inundação no município de Ourinhos (SP)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)