Eficiência nos gastos públicos em educação fundamental: uma análise nos municípios do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, 2007 e 2011

This paper aims to measure the degree of efficiency in the allocation of public resources in education from the FUNDEB in elementary education in the towns of Rio Grande do Norte in 2007 and 2011. To do so, we must determine to evaluate the efficiency in the allocation of public resources in municipal education in the early and last grades of elementary education; verify that the towns that achieved higher levels of efficiency that were allocated the largest volumes of resources in primary education and analyze which towns reached the worst and the best levels of efficiency in the allocation of public resources in education. This is on the assumption that the relation between the educational policies of local governments and concern for efficiency in the allocation of resources in education is limited only to increase spending on education. It is intended from the model of Data Envelopment analysis, (DEA), with Variable Returns to Scale (VRS), estimate the efficiency of spending on education and municipal pubic purging the problem of outliers. Estimations show that the municipalities of Rio Grande do Norte do not allocate their resources in public elementary education efficiently

Atmospheric Models Applied to DGPS and RTK Network in Brazil: Preliminary Results

Several positioning techniques have been developed to explore the GPS capability to provide precise coordinates in real time. However, a significant problem to all techniques is the ionosphere effect and the troposphere refraction. Recent researches in Brazil, at São Paulo State University (UNESP), have been trying to tackle these problems. In relation to the ionosphere effects it has been developed a model named Mod_Ion. Concerning tropospheric refraction, a model of Numerical Weather Prediction(NWP) has been used to compute the zenithal tropospheric delay (ZTD). These two models have been integrated with two positioning methods: DGPS (Differential GPS) and network RTK (Real Time Kinematic). These two positioning techniques are being investigated at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. The in-house DGPS software was already finalized and has provided very good results. The network RTK software is still under development. Therefore, only preliminary results from this method using the VRS (Virtual Reference Station) concept are presented.

Análise do modelo troposférico empregado na geração de uma estação de referência virtual utilizando o posicionamento por ponto preciso

In the past few years the interest is accomplishing a high accuracy positioning increasing. One of the methods that has been applied by the scientific community is the network based on positioning. By using multiple reference station data, it is possible to obtain centimetric positioning in a larger coverage area, in addition to gain in reliability, availability and integrity of the service. Besides, using this concept, it is possible to model the atmospheric effects (troposphere refraction and ionosphere effect). Another important question concerning this topic is related to the transmission of the network corrections to the users. There are some possibilities for this fact and an efficient one is the Virtual Reference Station (VRS) concept. In the VRS concept, a reference station is generated near to the rover receiver (user). This provides a short baseline and the user has the possibility of using a single frequency receiver to accomplish the relative positioning. In order to test this kind of positioning method, a software has been developed at São Paulo State University. In this paper, the methodology applied to generate the VRS data is described and the VRS quality is analyzed by using the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) method.

Geração de dados GPS de pseudodistância para uma estação virtual: Métodos, implementação e análise dos resultados

This paper aims to evaluate the quality of the pseudorange observables generated for a Virtual Reference Station (VRS). In order to generate the VRS data three different approaches were implemented and tested. In the first one, raw data from the reference station network were used while in the second it was based on double difference reference station corrections. Finally, in the third approach atmospheric models (ionosphere and troposphere) were used to create the VRS data. Sao Paulo State Network stations were used in all experiments. The VRS data were generated in a reference station position of known coordinates (real file). In order to validate the approaches, the VRS data were compared with the real data file. The results were quite similar, reaching the decimeter or centimeter level, depending on the approach applied.

Short-term planning of electric power distribution networks using multiobjective genetic algorithim

The high active and reactive power level demanded by the distribution systems, the growth of consuming centers, and the long lines of the distribution systems result in voltage variations in the busses compromising the quality of energy supplied. To ensure the energy quality supplied in the distribution system short-term planning, some devices and actions are used to implement an effective control of voltage, reactive power, and power factor of the network. Among these devices and actions are the voltage regulators (VRs) and capacitor banks (CBs), as well as exchanging the conductors sizes of distribution lines. This paper presents a methodology based on the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) for optimized allocation of VRs, CBs, and exchange of conductors in radial distribution systems. The Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm (MGA) is aided by an inference process developed using fuzzy logic, which applies specialized knowledge to achieve the reduction of the search space for the allocation of CBs and VRs.

Integridade, disponibilidade e acurácia no posicionamento RTK e RTK em rede: Investigação no contexto da rede GNSS ativa do Estado de São Paulo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Posicionamento GPS utilizando o conceito de estação virtual

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

Caracterização molecular de cepas do vírus respiratório sincicial isoladas de casos de infecção respiratória aguda na cidade de Belém, Pará, Brasil nos anos de 2000 a 2006

As doenças do trato respiratório são as principais queixas nos serviços de atendimento médico, sendo as infecções respiratórias agudas (IRA) as manifestações mais comuns, principalmente em crianças menores de cinco anos de idade. Em países em desenvolvimento as IRA constituem um sério problema de saúde pública. Em todo mundo estima-se que ocorram cerca de dois milhões de mortes devido as IRA a cada ano. Dentre os agentes causais das mesmas, destaca-se o Vírus Respiratório Sincicial (VRS), especialmente por causar doença grave em crianças menores de dois anos. Com o objetivo de gerar dados sobre a epidemiologia molecular deste vírus, foram analisadas amostras colhidas de pacientes com IRA no período de 2000 a 2006 na cidade de Belém, Pará. Foram utilizados testes de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) para caracterização antigênica dos vírus isolados e RT-PCR para os genes codificadores das proteínas G e F, que foram em seguida parcialmente seqüenciados. Dentro do período estudado, 153 amostras positivas para VRS foram detectadas. A faixa etária de 0-4 anos foi a que concentrou maior número de casos (n=138; 90,19%). Em relação ao perfil sazonal, o pico de atividade do VRS ocorreu nos primeiros seis meses do ano, estando associado principalmente ao período de troca da estação chuvosa para um período de menor pluviosidade. Houve co-circulação dos subgrupos A e B nos anos de 2001 e 2003. Em 2000, 2005 e 2006 somente o subgrupo A circulou. Entretanto no ano de 2004 foi registrada a ocorrência somente do subgrupo B. Dentro do período estudado, genótipos distintos da proteína G do subgrupo A (GA2 e GA5) e do subgrupo B (SAB1 e SAB3) foram detectados, indicando o primeiro relato da circulação do genótipo SAB1 na América do Sul. Em 2004, um cluster diferenciado dos demais genótipos circulantes foi encontrado, sendo este denominado BRB1. A análise do gene codificador da proteína F permitiu a identificação de mutações na sequência nucleotídica resultando em trocas na cadeia aminoacídica da mesma. Este estudo representa o primeiro relato sobre dados da epidemiologia molecular do Vírus Respiratório Sincicial na região Norte do Brasil.

Serviço de Referência Virtual via chat: uma análise comparativa em bibliotecas universitárias norte-americanas e brasileiras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Serviço de referência virtual via chat: uma análise comparativa em bibliotecas universitárias norte-americanas e brasileiras

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação - FFC

Serviço de Referência Virtual: implantação do serviço de chat

Introduction: With the invention of the Internet and the Collaborative Web, libraries had to rethink the way to offer their services. Thus, the U.S. libraries began a search for technological innovations in an effort to bring the library to the user through features that patrons commonly use. The Virtual Reference Service (VRS) through chat and reference services via videoconferencing are features that derived from this search. Objective: This article aims to outline the implementation process of Virtual Reference Services (SRV) libraries in American universities, particularly those for chat, as well as presenting the successful Brazilian experience. This paper also discusses factors to be considered for implementing virtual reference service via chat for libraries wishing to offer the service. Methodology: The research methodology is based on a theoretical search on international and national literature on the subject. The methodology also includes participant observation. Results: In Brazil the implementation of SRV in some university libraries has occurred and according to these institutions, the SRV is a service that benefits the community and puts the library in line with the demands of information technology and communication. Conclusions: It is concluded that online SRV is appropriate to the reality of university libraries in Brazil, since the institutions that offer the service have positive results from their assessments and believe they are adding value to their library.

Performance and radial distribution profiles of a variable flow rate sprinkler developed for precision irrigation

Variable rate sprinklers (VRS) have been developed to promote localized water application of irrigated areas. In Precision Irrigation, VRS permits better control of flow adjustment and, at the same time, provides satisfactory radial distribution profiles for various pressures and flow rates are really necessary. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance and radial distribution profiles of a developed VRS which varies the nozzle cross sectional area by moving a pin in or out using a stepper motor. Field tests were performed under different conditions of service pressure, rotation angles imposed on the pin and flow rate which resulted in maximal water throw radiuses ranging from 7.30 to 10.38 m. In the experiments in which the service pressure remained constant, the maximal throw radius varied from 7.96 to 8.91 m. Averages were used of repetitions performed under conditions without wind or with winds less than 1.3 m s-1. The VRS with the four stream deflector resulted in greater water application throw radius compared to the six stream deflector. However, the six stream deflector had greater precipitation intensities, as well as better distribution. Thus, selection of the deflector to be utilized should be based on project requirements, respecting the difference in the obtained results. With a small opening of the nozzle, the VRS produced small water droplets that visually presented applicability for foliar chemigation. Regarding the comparison between the estimated and observed flow rates, the stepper motor produced excellent results.

The use of remote sensing imagery for monitoring recovery in the aftermath of a natural disaster: the Hurricane Katrina Case

Although Recovery is often defined as the less studied and documented phase of the Emergency Management Cycle, a wide literature is available for describing characteristics and sub-phases of this process. Previous works do not allow to gain an overall perspective because of a lack of systematic consistent monitoring of recovery utilizing advanced technologies such as remote sensing and GIS technologies. Taking into consideration the key role of Remote Sensing in Response and Damage Assessment, this thesis is aimed to verify the appropriateness of such advanced monitoring techniques to detect recovery advancements over time, with close attention to the main characteristics of the study event: Hurricane Katrina storm surge. Based on multi-source, multi-sensor and multi-temporal data, the post-Katrina recovery was analysed using both a qualitative and a quantitative approach. The first phase was dedicated to the investigation of the relation between urban types, damage and recovery state, referring to geographical and technological parameters. Damage and recovery scales were proposed to review critical observations on remarkable surge- induced effects on various typologies of structures, analyzed at a per-building level. This wide-ranging investigation allowed a new understanding of the distinctive features of the recovery process. A quantitative analysis was employed to develop methodological procedures suited to recognize and monitor distribution, timing and characteristics of recovery activities in the study area. Promising results, gained by applying supervised classification algorithms to detect localization and distribution of blue tarp, have proved that this methodology may help the analyst in the detection and monitoring of recovery activities in areas that have been affected by medium damage. The study found that Mahalanobis Distance was the classifier which provided the most accurate results, in localising blue roofs with 93.7% of blue roof classified correctly and a producer accuracy of 70%. It was seen to be the classifier least sensitive to spectral signature alteration. The application of the dissimilarity textural classification to satellite imagery has demonstrated the suitability of this technique for the detection of debris distribution and for the monitoring of demolition and reconstruction activities in the study area. Linking these geographically extensive techniques with expert per-building interpretation of advanced-technology ground surveys provides a multi-faceted view of the physical recovery process. Remote sensing and GIS technologies combined to advanced ground survey approach provides extremely valuable capability in Recovery activities monitoring and may constitute a technical basis to lead aid organization and local government in the Recovery management.

Concomitant Vascular Reconstruction During Pancreatectomy for Malignant Disease: A Propensity Score-Adjusted, Population-Based Trend Analysis Involving 10 206 Patients

OBJECTIVE To assess trends in the frequency of concomitant vascular reconstructions (VRs) from 2000 through 2009 among patients who underwent pancreatectomy, as well as to compare the short-term outcomes between patients who underwent pancreatic resection with and without VR. DESIGN Single-center series have been conducted to evaluate the short-term and long-term outcomes of VR during pancreatic resection. However, its effectiveness from a population-based perspective is still unknown. Unadjusted, multivariable, and propensity score-adjusted generalized linear models were performed. SETTING Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 through 2009. PATIENTS A total of 10 206 patients were involved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of VR during pancreatic resection, perioperative in-hospital complications, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS Overall, 10 206 patients were included in this analysis. Of these, 412 patients (4.0%) underwent VR, with the rate increasing from 0.7% in 2000 to 6.0% in 2009 (P < .001). Patients who underwent pancreatic resection with VR were at a higher risk for intraoperative (propensity score-adjusted odds ratio, 1.94; P = .001) and postoperative (propensity score-adjusted odds ratio, 1.36; P = .008) complications, while the mortality and median length of hospital stay were similar to those of patients without VR. Among the 25% of hospitals with the highest surgical volume, patients who underwent pancreatic surgery with VR had significantly higher rates of postoperative complications and mortality than patients without VR. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of VR during pancreatic surgery is increasing in the United States. In contrast with most single-center analyses, this population-based study demonstrated that patients who underwent VR during pancreatic surgery had higher rates of adverse postoperative outcomes than their counterparts who underwent pancreatic resection only. Prospective studies incorporating long-term outcomes are warranted to further define which patients benefit from VR.