Atuação do BNDES e parcerias com bancos privados: uma nova proposta

Apesar do crescimento da participação dos bancos privados na concessão de crédito, os bancos públicos, em especial o BNDES mantém a liderança no volume total de operações. Apesar de sua atuação ter se modificado ao longo do tempo, as operações ainda são concentradas em grandes empresas. Com o desenvolvimento do sistema bancário brasileiro, as instituições privadas poderiam substituir em parte essas operações. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor uma nova forma de parceria entre BNDES e bancos privados. A proposta foi baseada na qualidade das instituições bancárias atuantes no mercado brasileiro e na forma como o BNDES pode reduzir a assimetria de informações entre tomador e emprestador. O BNDES participaria analisando a empresa e a operação, emitindo um rating que seria utilizado pelos bancos privados na tomada de decisão. Com essa parceria esperamos um aumento da competição no setor bancário e uma redução da participação do BNDES no mercado de crédito.

Forecasting Multivariate Time Series under Present-Value-Model Short- and Long-run Co-movement Restrictions

This paper has two original contributions. First, we show that the present value model (PVM hereafter), which has a wide application in macroeconomics and fi nance, entails common cyclical feature restrictions in the dynamics of the vector error-correction representation (Vahid and Engle, 1993); something that has been already investigated in that VECM context by Johansen and Swensen (1999, 2011) but has not been discussed before with this new emphasis. We also provide the present value reduced rank constraints to be tested within the log-linear model. Our second contribution relates to forecasting time series that are subject to those long and short-run reduced rank restrictions. The reason why appropriate common cyclical feature restrictions might improve forecasting is because it finds natural exclusion restrictions preventing the estimation of useless parameters, which would otherwise contribute to the increase of forecast variance with no expected reduction in bias. We applied the techniques discussed in this paper to data known to be subject to present value restrictions, i.e. the online series maintained and up-dated by Shiller. We focus on three different data sets. The fi rst includes the levels of interest rates with long and short maturities, the second includes the level of real price and dividend for the S&P composite index, and the third includes the logarithmic transformation of prices and dividends. Our exhaustive investigation of several different multivariate models reveals that better forecasts can be achieved when restrictions are applied to them. Moreover, imposing short-run restrictions produce forecast winners 70% of the time for target variables of PVMs and 63.33% of the time when all variables in the system are considered.

A Learning Function for Parameter Reduction in Spiking Neural Networks with Radial Basis Function

Spiking neural networks - networks that encode information in the timing of spikes - are arising as a new approach in the artificial neural networks paradigm, emergent from cognitive science. One of these new models is the pulsed neural network with radial basis function, a network able to store information in the axonal propagation delay of neurons. Learning algorithms have been proposed to this model looking for mapping input pulses into output pulses. Recently, a new method was proposed to encode constant data into a temporal sequence of spikes, stimulating deeper studies in order to establish abilities and frontiers of this new approach. However, a well known problem of this kind of network is the high number of free parameters - more that 15 - to be properly configured or tuned in order to allow network convergence. This work presents for the first time a new learning function for this network training that allow the automatic configuration of one of the key network parameters: the synaptic weight decreasing factor.

Air velocity and exposure time to ventilation affect body surface and rectal temperature of broiler chickens

Increasing air movement over poultry by using fans (ventilation) has become an accepted means of reducing environmental heat stress over the last several years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of air velocity and exposure time to ventilation on body surface and rectal temperature of broiler chickens. Male broiler chickens aged 36-42 days were placed in individual wire cages and exposed to five different air velocities (5.7, 4.2, 3.1, 2.4, or 1.8 m/sec). Throughout the experiment head, back, leg, and rectal temperatures were monitored every 10 min during a 30-min period for each air velocity. The data showed that exposure time to the wind affected (P<.05) leg and body temperature, with a rapid reduction being observed during the first 10 min. There was a reduction in leg temperature with air velocity of 2 m/sec; however, air velocity lower than 4.5 m/sec was not effective in decreasing head and back temperature. The results suggest that air velocity of 2 m/sec, in air temperature of 29 degrees C, improves heat loss in the birds. The data also indicate that exposure time to ventilation seems to be a critical point in the maintenance of bird thermal homeostasis.

Vivências compartilhadas de filhos separados pela hanseníase no RN a luz da história oral de vida

Several epidemics marked the lives of individuals and communities in all historical periods, and a prime example is leprosy, infectious disease marked by stigma, prejudice and social exclusion. In the past, the compulsory isolation of patients with leprosy caused serious social and psychological problems, resulting in the separation and the partial or total disruption of the family relationship. Children deprived of this living, removed often inhumanely, were kept and bred in preventoriums / educational establishments. This study aimed to: rescue the oral history of life of the children of leprosy patients that were built in preventorium Osvaldo Cruz, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte; develop a contextual analysis about these children; know the life trajectory of children of leprosy patients institutionalized in preventoriums / educational establishments; produce a documentary on the history of life of children of parents separated by leprosy; forming MORHAN of Rio Grande do Norte state; and implement the I Meeting of MORHAN of Rio Grande do Norte state. This is an exploratory and descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, approved by the ERC No. 024/024/2012 Liga Norteriograndense Contra o Câncer. We used the contributions of the method and technique of oral history of life as methodological reference. We interviewed 10 individuals egress from preventorium Osvaldo Cruz in Natal/RN, sons of former patients proven to be residents in the city, of both sexes, older than 18, with cognitive, intellectual and emotional conditions preserved. The analysis of the histories obtained from collaborators was performed in the light of Thematic Content Analysis. The results and discussions are presented through two articles which meet the proposed objectives. The first, called Contextual Analysis on the children of leprosy patients in preventoriums aimed to record the phenomenon of children of leprosy patients in preventorium through four contextual levels, which identified the need to broaden the debate on public policy in the field of leprosy as a way to enable more effective measures to propagate in the search for harm reduction and direct consequences resulting from stigma and marginalization around patients and their healthy children, egress from preventoriums. The second, Leprosy and the denial of history: the story of separated children , aimed to know the life trajectory of children of leprosy patients who were institutionalized in preventoriums / educational establishments. In this article, we discuss the research question through the establishment of three main themes: 1. Losses and damages: disintegration and reintegration into the family and denied childhood; 2. Unforgettable: remarkable things you do not forget; and 3. Expectancy in living new situations: in search of other paths and destinations. These thematic axis highlighted the negative implications for the lives of the subjects, arising from the separation of their parents, leprosy patients at the time of compulsory isolation; however, has also been shown that this separation was not decisive in their life histories, once they have succeeded in providing a new sense of these experiences and lead their lives with dignity and fortitude. It was concluded that these children demonstrated resilience as form of defense and fighting stigma and prejudice, being able to reinvent themselves and build new paths and destinations

Melhoria da segurança pública: uma proposta para alocação de unidades policiais utilizando o modelo das p-medianas e do caixeiro viajante

The decrease in crime is one of the core issues that cause concern in society today. This study aims to propose improvements to public safety from the choice of points to the location of police units, ie the points which support the car and the police. For this, three models were developed in order to assist decision making regarding the best placement of these bases. The Model of Police Units Routing has the intention to analyze the current configuration of a given region and develop optimal routes for round preventative. The Model of Allocation and Routing for New Police Units (MARNUP) used the model of facility location called p-median weighted and traveling salesman problem (TSP) combined aiming an ideal setting for regions that do not yet have support points or to assess how far the distribution is present in relation to that found in solution. The Model Redefinition and Routing Unit Police (MRRUP) seek to change the current positioning taking into account the budgetary constraints of the decision maker. To verify the applicability of these models we used data from 602 points to instances of police command that is responsible for the capital city of Natal. The city currently has 31 police units for 36 of these 19 districts and police have some assistance. This reality can lead to higher costs and higher response times for answering emergency calls. The results of the models showed that in an ideal situation it is possible to define a distance of 500 km/round, whereas in this 900 km are covered by approximately round. However, a change from three-point lead reduced to 700 km / round which represents a decrease of 22% in the route. This reduction should help improve response time to emergency care, improving the level of service provided by the increase of solved cases, reducing police shifts and routing preventive patrols

Ajuste automático e otimização do tempo de espera (Idle time) em bombeio mecânico de petróleo

The present work presents an algorithm proposal, which aims for controlling and improving idle time to be applied in oil production wells equipped with beam pump. The algorithm was totally designed based on existing papers and data acquired from two Potiguar Basin pilot wells. Oil engineering concepts such as submergence, pump off, Basic Sediments and Water (BSW), Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR), reservo ir pressure, inflow pressure, among others, were included into the algorithm through a mathematical treatment developed from a typical well and then extended to the general cases. The optimization will increase the well production potential maximum utilization having the smallest number of pumping unit cycles directly reflecting on operational cost and electricity consumption reduction

Preparação e caracterização de um material híbrido, à base de vermiculita modificada com quitosana, para a remoção de íons de chumbo presentes em efluentes sintéticos

Actually, surveys have been developed for obtaining new materials and methodologies that aim to minimize environmental problems due to discharges of industrial effluents contaminated with heavy metals. The adsorption has been used as an alternative technology effectively, economically viable and potentially important for the reduction of metals, especially when using natural adsorbents such as certain types of clay. Chitosan, a polymer of natural origin, present in the shells of crustaceans and insects, has also been used for this purpose. Among the clays, vermiculite is distinguished by its good ion exchange capacity and in its expanded form enhances its properties by greatly increasing its specific surface. This study aimed to evaluate the functionality of the hybrid material obtained through the modification of expanded vermiculite with chitosan in the removal of lead ions (II) in aqueous solution. The material was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR) in order to evaluate the efficiency of modification of matrix, the vermiculite, the organic material, chitosan. The thermal stability of the material and the ratio clay / polymer was evaluated by thermogravimetry. To evaluate the surface of the material was used in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and (BET). The BET analysis revealed a significant increase in surface area of vermiculite that after interaction with chitosan, was obtained a value of 21, 6156 m2 / g. Adsorption tests were performed according to the particle size, concentration and time. The results show that the capacity of removal of ions through the vermiculite was on average 88.4% for lead in concentrations ranging from 20-200 mg / L and 64.2% in the concentration range of 1000 mg / L. Regarding the particle size, there was an increase in adsorption with decreasing particle size. In fuction to the time of contact, was observed adsorption equilibrium in 60 minutes with adsorption capacity. The data of the isotherms were fitted to equation Freundlich. The kinetic study of adsorption showed that the pseudo second- order model best describes the adsorption adsorption, having been found following values K2=0,024 g. mg-1 min-1and Qmax=25,75 mg/g, value very close to the calculated Qe = 26.31 mg / g. From the results we can conclude that the material can be used in wastewater treatment systems as a source of metal ions adsorbent due to its high adsorption capacity

Electrochemical Reduction Using Glassy Carbon Electrode in Aqueous Medium of a Potential Anti-Chagas Drug: NFOH

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

The effect of acoustic mode on time-resolved temperature measurements in a Rijke-tube pulse combustor

Radial profiles are reported of average and rms temperature in a propane flame for the first, second, and third acoustic modes at four different axial positions above the burner in a Rijke-tube combustor. Selected plots of the power spectral density (PSD) of temperature fluctuations are also reported. These radial profiles are then compared to similar ones made in the same flame, but in the absence of the acoustic field. Visual observations and photographs of the flame showed a remarkable change in flame height and structure with the onset of acoustic oscillations. This reduction in flame length, caused by the enhanced mixing due to the acoustic velocity fluctuations, gave rise to higher and lower average and rms temperatures near or well above the burner, respectively. In general, the PSD plots had a broad frequency content. The general trend was a decrease in magnitude with an increase in frequency. All cases presented broad-band peaks at around 5 Hz related to the flame flickering phenomenon. Preferred frequencies were observed in the oscillating PSD plots related to the fundamental frequency as well as subharmonics in the tube. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Real-time multi-sensors measurement system with temperature effects compensation for impedance-based structural health monitoring

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of processing parameters on nanomaterials synthesis efficiency by a carbothermal reduction process

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

Modeling the dielectric response of lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics-an approach to the phase transitions in relaxor ferroelectrics

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

Synthesis, characterization, and application of modified silica in the removal and preconcentration of lead ions from natural river water

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

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activity in methemoglobin reduction by methylene blue and cyst amine: study on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient individuals, on normal subjects and on riboflavin-treated subjects

Os autores padronizaram métodos para a avaliação da atividade da glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase e glutationa redutase. O princípio geral do primeiro método baseou-se na formação de metahemoglobina pelo nitrito de sódio, seguido da estimulação da via das pentoses pelo azul de metileno. Foram estudados 46 indivíduos adultos, sendo 23 do sexo masculino e 23 do feminino, não deficientes em glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PD), com idades variando entre 20 e 30 anos. Os resultados revelaram que a redução da metahemoglobina pelo azul de metileno para sangue total, foram de 154.50 e 139.90 mg/min (p<0.05) respectivamente para o sexo masculino e feminino. Para hemácias lavadas os valores foram de 221.10 e 207.85 mg/min (n.s.) respectivamente. Estas observações permitiram concluir que ao se empregar hemácias lavadas e 0.7 g% de concentração de nitrito de sódio, por um lado não houve diferença entre os sexos e por outro, abreviou o tempo de leitura da quantidade residual de metahemoglobina para 90 minutos. A avaliação da atividade da glutationa redutase foi feita baseado no fato de que a cistamina (agente tiol) liga-se aos grupos SH da hemoglobina formando complexos. Estes complexos são revertidos pela ação da glutationa redutase, ocorrendo conjuntamente nesta reação a redução da metahemoglobina. Foram estudados 32 indivíduos adultos, sendo 16 do sexo masculino e 16 do feminino, não deficientes em G6PD, com idades variando entre 20 e 30 anos. Os resultados revelaram valores de redução da metahemoglobina pela cistamina de 81.27 e 91.13 mg/min (p<0.01) respectivamente para o sexo masculino e feminino. Estas observações permitiram concluir que o emprego de hemácias lavadas e 0.1 molar de concentração de cistamina torna possível a leitura da quantidade residual de metahemoglobina aos 180 minutos de incubação. A atividade da glutationa redutase avaliada por meio da redução da metahemoglobina pela cistamina, foi estudada em 14 indivíduos do sexo feminino antes e após o tratamento com 10 mg por dia de riboflavina durante 8 dias. Os resultados foram de 73.69 e 94.26 mg/min (p<0.01) antes e após o tratamento. Estas observações permitiram concluir que a oferta de riboflavina, mesmo para indivíduos normais, aumenta a atividade da glutationa redutase. Foram ainda avaliados 3 indivíduos da raça negra e deficientes em G6PD, sendo 2 do sexo masculino e 1 do feminino. Houve ativação parcial da G6PD e glutationa redutase, sendo estas alterações mais intensas nos indivíduos do sexo masculino. Considerando-se a raça e as características laboratoriais observadas, foi possível sugerir que a deficiência em G6PD verificada é do tipo Africano, bem como, permitiu considerar os indivíduos do sexo feminino coin o sendo heterozigoto para esta deficiência. Por fim, a análise dos resultados em seu conjunto permitiu concluir que os métodos propostos se mostraram eficientes para avaliar a atividade da G6PD e glutationa redutase. Esta última é dependente da via das pentoses, geradora de NADPH e da riboflavina, vitamina precursora de FAD.