Big data for networking

Big data analytics has shown great potential in optimizing operations, making decisions, spotting business trends, preventing threats, and capitalizing on new sources of revenues in various fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, insurance, and retail. The management of various networks has become inefficient and difficult because of their high complexities and interdependencies. Big data, in forms of device logs, software logs, media content, and sensed data, provide rich information and facilitate a fundamentally different and novel approach to explore, design, and develop reliable and scalable networks. This Special Issue covers the most recent research results that address challenges of big data for networking. We received 45 submissions, and ultimately nine high quality papers, organized into two groups, have been selected for inclusion in this Special Issue.

Punitive damages in Brazilian law and the boundaries between criminal and civil liabilities

This article demonstrates the existence of civil responsibility with punitive purposes in Brazilian Law, explaining how it was introduced by jurisdictional activity in cases involving moral damages. Next, it points out main problems this situation represents to Brazilian Law from the standpoint of our juridical dogmatics and public policies. Additionally, it proposes the execution of an empirical research for comprehension of the structure and fundamentals of jurisprudence on the punitive character of civil responsibility for moral damages and establishes criteria for use in this research based on theories of punishment. Finally, it positions the problem of punitive function of civil responsibility in the broader ambit of relationships and boundaries between civil and criminal responsibility.

O desafio de reconhecimento do sujeito cego em espaços públicos de representação

This work is funded based on the uneasiness with the concept of State as a public machine for development. Of State as a public machine to deliberate valid practices for valid methods and to limit valid subjects in valid spaces. In midst of this specific context, this work dedicates itself to investigate the following research problem: the mistaken recognition of the blind subject in public spaces of representation. For this reason, it was addressed the following question: how the blind subject is recognized in public spaces of representation? To answer the question, it was necessary to contextualize how the blind subject is being recognized in various public spaces of representation. In the international scope, the human rights debate held between the National States was analyzed (BRAND, 2005; KOERNER, 2002; UN, 2006). In the national arena, constitutional rights, federal laws, public policies and institutions representing the blind subject were examined (CABRAL, 2008; SARAVIA, 2006). Finally, in a local context, the fundaments of the concept of citizen for the subject recognition were investigated (AGAMBEN, 2002; RORTY, 1999, DELEUZE AND GUATTARI, 1996). The methodology included reports of national and international representatives in the Lusophone Countries Meeting for Dissemination and Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and, mainly, interviews with blind subjects. The data was processed by content analysis and was discussed based on the following categories: representation spaces; representation modes; representation amplitude; representation premises. The results show, regarding such spaces of representation, the growing importance of thinking the rights of persons with disabilities ¿ group in which belongs the blind subject ¿ as of the international and national scenario. However, the blind subjects announced alternative local spaces for representation: church, internet, radio, etc. Regarding the representation modes, the role of law and standards has been advocated specially in the human rights field. The importance of the cooperation between the States and the civil society to ensure, in practice, the rights achieved was also emphasized. But other forms of representation, directly linked to each interviewee¿ history, was important. Regarding the representation amplitude, there were arguments in defense of a conception of human dignity and freedom to all inhabitants of the globe. The lusophone event highlighted the concern of the cultural peculiarities of those involved in the meeting. The blind interviewees argued for citizenship as construction of instruments for freedom and autonomy, but recognized that this is not a clear desire between the blind people in general, and even less in society as a whole. With respect to the representation premises, the fundaments for the recognition of the blind subject were based on the primacy of reason at the expense of personal experimentation. Experimentation that serves as the foundation of a new form of recognition of the blind subject in public spaces of representation, one more interested in singularities, impenetrable by reason, unmovable to another, and which are irreducible to each subject. The final considerations suggest that if the State has a reason to be, this is not another than to offer instruments to manifest as many as the existential possibilities of the subject. This is the concept of State for development.

Mhealth entrepreneurship: an exploratory research for a managerial model for mhealth start ups in low and middle income countries

Since some years, mobile technologies in healthcare (mHealth) stand for the transformational force to improve health issues in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although several studies have identified the prevailing issue of inconsistent evidence and new evaluation frameworks have been proposed, few have explored the role of entrepreneurship to create disruptive change in a traditionally conservative sector. I argue that improving the effectiveness of mHealth entrepreneurs might increase the adoption of mHealth solutions. Thus, this study aims at proposing a managerial model for the analysis of mHealth solutions from the entrepreneurial perspective in the context of LMICs. I identified the Khoja–Durrani–Scott (KDS) framework as theoretical basis for the managerial model, due to its explicit focus on the context of LMICs. In the subsequent exploratory research I, first, used semi-structured interviews with five specialists in mHealth, local healthcare systems and investment to identify necessary adaptations to the model. The findings of the interviews proposed that especially the economic theme had to be clarified and an additional entrepreneurial theme was necessary. Additionally, an evaluation questionnaire was proposed. In the second phase, I applied the questionnaire to five start-ups, operating in Brazil and Tanzania, and conducted semi-structured interviews with the entrepreneurs to gain practical insights for the theoretical development. Three of five entrepreneurs perceived that the results correlated with the entrepreneurs' expectations of the strengths and weaknesses of the start-ups. Main shortcomings of the model related to the ambiguity of some questions. In addition to the findings for the model, the results of the scores were analyzed. The analysis suggested that across the participating mHealth start-ups the ‘behavioral and socio-technical’ outcomes were the strongest and the ‘policy’ outcomes were the weakest themes. The managerial model integrates several perspectives, structured around the entrepreneur. In order to validate the model, future research may link the development of a start-up with the evolution of the scores in longitudinal case studies or large-scale tests.

Imagens e contra-imagens do estado": considerações sobre a sociedade civil em Gramsci e Habermas

The theme of civil society has resonated significantly in the analysis of social science studies and has long been the center of public opinion, applied to a vast range of contexts, significances and political ideological connotations. Starting with such an unstable theoretical scenario, our research proposal scrutinized two civil society analysis traditions. Embodied by Antonio Gramsci and Jürgen Habermas, these politically conceptual differences are significantly divided into distinct interpretations of the relationship between the state and civil society. On one side, in Gramsci's work, we observe civil society as historically constituted through "molecular expansion of the state", organizing itself during its obligatory constitutive moment. On the other, Habermas shows us a civil society instituted from the structural differentiation process of society developed due to the contradiction existing between the different ways the state administration is organized, the economy and daily social interaction (in which it is found). As a consequence, civil society is no longer seen as a political arena and the hegemonic catalyst of the state, but as a social arrangement destined to increase the viability of the ethical and dialogical reconstruction of social life. It follows that the understanding of the distinctions between both models of civil society become crucial in the measure that they are divided in relation to the delineation of acting agents, fighting strategies, and to the objective of their actions.Despite the existence of analytical dissonance, we intend to outline the common points between both these civil society analysis traditions whose conflicting political action models lead us to a greater understanding of our contemporary political scene. This will be done starting with the systematization of both selected authors' principal categories, and through the introduction of the "contra-hegemonic public sphere" concept

Ensino de ciências em Cabinda/Angola: condições da prática docente, idéias de professores e desafios

O presente trabalho trata de uma pesquisa qualitativa na abordagem narrativa, desenvolvida com professores de Ciências do Ensino Médio da Província de Cabinda, em Angola. A escola em que os doze sujeitos da pesquisa trabalham destina-se à preparação de professores para atuarem no ensino de base até a 8ª série. A pesquisa está estruturada em sete seções, cuja abordagem está centrada no Ensino de Ciências em Angola: condições da prática docente, idéias de professores e desafios. Para tanto, busco resgatar o contexto do país desde os cinco séculos de colonização até a independência, em 1975. Posteriormente, as três décadas de guerra civil até os momentos de paz que o país vive hoje. Em seguida, faço um breve histórico da educação sobre as transformações ocorridas durante esses quatro períodos: Colonial, Pós-Colonial, Guerra Civil e os momentos de paz. O universo de pesquisa foram doze professores que lecionam ciências em uma mesma escola, tendo sido aplicado um questionário de dezesseis questões abertas. Suas respostas foram organizadas em quatro categorias, a saber: motivação ao magistério e identidade com a função docente; o que os professores manifestam entender sobre ciência e ensino de ciências; condições de trabalho docente e de formação continuada; visão sobre si na função docente e da docência em ciências. Essas categorias permitiram a análise dos dados em relação ao ensino de ciências em Cabinda, cujos resultados apontaram para: a maioria dos professores que atuam no ensino médio não tem formação para tal; foram motivados por várias razões para a docência; a sua constituição, como professores de Ciências, ocorre por esforço próprio, ao longo da docência; as condições de trabalho são muito deficitárias, havendo falta de material bibliográfico e dificuldades de acesso à informação; há inexistência de cursos de licenciatura em Biologia, Física e Química para formar professores em nível superior para o ensino médio; não há programas regulares de formação continuada para professores de Ciências. Mesmo assim, os professores acreditam ser um desafio ensinar a juventude, sentem-se honrados por serem docentes em Cabinda e manifestam-se otimistas e esperançosos em continuar seus estudos em nível superior.

A aprendizagem baseada em problemas (ABP): uma aplicação na disciplina “Gestão empresarial” do curso de Engenharia Civil

A metodologia da Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (ABP), diferentemente dos métodos de ensino convencionais, é uma metodologia que usa problemas para diminuir a lacuna entre a teoria e a prática no processo de aprendizagem. Além de favorecer a construção de conhecimentos, se propõe a contribuir para o desenvolvimento de algumas capacidades profissionais não técnicas, consideradas importantes para a prática do engenheiro em uma sociedade em constantes e rápidas transformações. Este trabalho, uma pesquisa-ação, buscou vivenciar e analisar a eficiência do método durante sua aplicação na disciplina “Gestão Empresarial”, ministrada a alunos do penúltimo e último semestre do Curso de Graduação em Engenharia Civil. Os dados para a análise foram coletados por meio de observação participante do professor/tutor da disciplina e de relatórios de avaliação, nos quais os alunos opinavam sobre a ABP, suas vantagens e desvantagens e seu potencial para atingir os objetivos propostos. Nos três estudos de caso realizados, apesar de aplicados em turmas diferentes, evidenciam-se através dos relatórios apresentados pelos alunos e de avaliações feitas durante todo o processo, a ocorrência tanto da aprendizagem dos conhecimentos quanto o desenvolvimento de algumas habilidades e atitudes objetivadas pela disciplina, tais como: capacidade de pesquisa, desenvolvimento de espírito empreendedor e busca de conhecimentos inovadores. De forma geral, os alunos reagiram positivamente à ABP, o que sugere sua possível utilização nos contextos estudados. A metodologia também demonstrou ser um instrumento interessante de desenvolvimento profissional para o professor/tutor, no que concerne ao aprimoramento docente.

Arquitetura da informação pervasiva: contribuições conceituais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

An Informatics Technical Note on Interaction of DNA - Graphene Chemical Sensor System as Reaction-Diffusion Wave-Based Computing System in Ionised Gaseous environments and their Applications Using Theoretical Studies and Scientific Computation Overview

The physics of plasmas encompasses basic problems from the universe and has assured us of promises in diverse applications to be implemented in a wider range of scientific and engineering domains, linked to most of the evolved and evolving fundamental problems. Substantial part of this domain could be described by R–D mechanisms involving two or more species (reaction–diffusion mechanisms). These could further account for the simultaneous non-linear effects of heating, diffusion and other related losses. We mention here that in laboratory scale experiments, a suitable combination of these processes is of vital importance and very much decisive to investigate and compute the net behaviour of plasmas under consideration. Plasmas are being used in the revolution of information processing, so we considered in this technical note a simple framework to discuss and pave the way for better formalisms and Informatics, dealing with diverse domains of science and technologies. The challenging and fascinating aspects of plasma physics is that it requires a great deal of insight in formulating the relevant design problems, which in turn require ingenuity and flexibility in choosing a particular set of mathematical (and/or experimental) tools to implement them.

Notes on competencies in engineering education

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo do grau de modernização e mecanização nas obras de construção civil: estudo de caso - cidade de Lorena

This paper had as emphasis the study of the mechanization and modernization of the construction job sites of the city of Lorena located in the Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo. From the literature review on this topic, it was possible to understand the main causes of the delay in the job sites relating to the new technology available. The research on the history of construction and equipment evolution, along with interviews with workers, engineers and architects, it was possible to analyze the current situation. One of the main intentions of this study was to propose guidelines for the modernization of the construction sites

Estudo do grau de modernização e mecanização nas obras de construção civil: estudo de caso - cidade de Lorena

This paper had as emphasis the study of the mechanization and modernization of the construction job sites of the city of Lorena located in the Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo. From the literature review on this topic, it was possible to understand the main causes of the delay in the job sites relating to the new technology available. The research on the history of construction and equipment evolution, along with interviews with workers, engineers and architects, it was possible to analyze the current situation. One of the main intentions of this study was to propose guidelines for the modernization of the construction sites

A New Control Architecture for Robust Controllers in Rear Electric Traction Passenger HEVs

It is well known that control systems are the core of electronic differential systems (EDSs) in electric vehicles (EVs)/hybrid HEVs (HEVs). However, conventional closed-loop control architectures do not completely match the needed ability to reject noises/disturbances, especially regarding the input acceleration signal incoming from the driver's commands, which makes the EDS (in this case) ineffective. Due to this, in this paper, a novel EDS control architecture is proposed to offer a new approach for the traction system that can be used with a great variety of controllers (e. g., classic, artificial intelligence (AI)-based, and modern/robust theory). In addition to this, a modified proportional-integral derivative (PID) controller, an AI-based neuro-fuzzy controller, and a robust optimal H-infinity controller were designed and evaluated to observe and evaluate the versatility of the novel architecture. Kinematic and dynamic models of the vehicle are briefly introduced. Then, simulated and experimental results were presented and discussed. A Hybrid Electric Vehicle in Low Scale (HELVIS)-Sim simulation environment was employed to the preliminary analysis of the proposed EDS architecture. Later, the EDS itself was embedded in a dSpace 1103 high-performance interface board so that real-time control of the rear wheels of the HELVIS platform was successfully achieved.

Behaviour of grouted dowels used in precast concrete connections

This research deals with the behaviour of grouted dowels used in beam-to-column connections in precast concrete structures. The research focuses primarily on the theoretical and experimental analysis of the resistance mechanism of the dowels. The experimental programme included 15 models for analysing the following variations in dowel parameters: a) dowel diameters of 16, 20 and 25 mm, b) dowel inclinations of 0 degrees (i.e. perpendicular to the interface), 45 degrees and 60 degrees, c) compressive strength of classes C35 and C50 for the concrete adjacent to the dowels, and d) the absence or presence of compressive loads normal to the interface. The experimental results indicate that the ultimate capacity and shear stiffness of the inclined dowels are significantly higher than those of the perpendicular dowels. Based on these results, an analytical model is proposed that considers the influence of the parameters studied regarding the capacity of the dowel.

Effect of enzymatic treatment on the cross-flow microfiltration of acai pulp: Analysis of the fouling and recovery of phytochemicals

This study aimed to investigate the effects of pectinase enzyme treatment of acai pulp on cross-flow microfiltration (CFMF) performance and on phytochemical and functional characteristics of their compounds. Analyses of fouling mechanisms were carried out through resistance in series and blocking in law models. The enzymatic treatment was conducted using Ultrazym(R) AFPL (Novozymes A/S) at 500 mg kg(-1) of acai pulp for 30 min at 35 degrees C. Before microfiltrations, untreated and enzyme-treated acai pulps were previously diluted in distilled water (1:3; w/v). CFMFs were conducted using commercial alpha-alumina (alpha-Al2O3) ceramic membranes (Andritz AG, Austria) of 0.2 mu m and 0.8 mu m pore sizes, and 0.0047 m(2) of filtration area. The microfiltration unit was operated in batch mode for 120 min at 25 degrees C and the fluid-dynamic conditions were transmembrane pressure of Delta P = 100 kPa and cross-flow velocity of 3 m s(-1) in turbulent flow. The highest values of permeate flux and accumulated permeate volume were obtained using enzyme-treated pulp and 0.2 mu m pore size membranes with steady flux values exceeding 100 L h(-1) m(-2). For the 0.8 mu m pore size membrane, the estimated total resistance after the microfiltration of enzyme-treated acai pulp was 21% lower than the untreated pulp, and for the 0.2 mu m pore size membrane, it was 18%. Cake filtration was the dominant mechanism in the early stages of most of the CFMF processes. After approximately 20 min, however, intermediate pore blocking and complete pore blocking contributed to the overall fouling mechanisms. The reduction of the antioxidant capacity of the permeates obtained after microfiltration of the enzyme-treated pulp was higher (p < 0.01) than that obtained using untreated pulp. For total polyphenols, on the contrary, the permeates obtained after microfiltration of the enzyme-treated pulp showed a lower mean reduction (p < 0.01) than those from the untreated pulp. The results show that the enzymatic treatment had a positive effect on the CFMF process of acai pulp. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.