Abordagem de construção de arquitetura homogênea para comitês via meta-aprendizagem

In the world we are constantly performing everyday actions. Two of these actions are frequent and of great importance: classify (sort by classes) and take decision. When we encounter problems with a relatively high degree of complexity, we tend to seek other opinions, usually from people who have some knowledge or even to the extent possible, are experts in the problem domain in question in order to help us in the decision-making process. Both the classification process as the process of decision making, we are guided by consideration of the characteristics involved in the specific problem. The characterization of a set of objects is part of the decision making process in general. In Machine Learning this classification happens through a learning algorithm and the characterization is applied to databases. The classification algorithms can be employed individually or by machine committees. The choice of the best methods to be used in the construction of a committee is a very arduous task. In this work, it will be investigated meta-learning techniques in selecting the best configuration parameters of homogeneous committees for applications in various classification problems. These parameters are: the base classifier, the architecture and the size of this architecture. We investigated nine types of inductors candidates for based classifier, two methods of generation of architecture and nine medium-sized groups for architecture. Dimensionality reduction techniques have been applied to metabases looking for improvement. Five classifiers methods are investigated as meta-learners in the process of choosing the best parameters of a homogeneous committee.

Análise das medidas de boa e má diversidade na construção de comitês de classificadores através de metaheurísticas de otimização multiobjetivo

Committees of classifiers may be used to improve the accuracy of classification systems, in other words, different classifiers used to solve the same problem can be combined for creating a system of greater accuracy, called committees of classifiers. To that this to succeed is necessary that the classifiers make mistakes on different objects of the problem so that the errors of a classifier are ignored by the others correct classifiers when applying the method of combination of the committee. The characteristic of classifiers of err on different objects is called diversity. However, most measures of diversity could not describe this importance. Recently, were proposed two measures of the diversity (good and bad diversity) with the aim of helping to generate more accurate committees. This paper performs an experimental analysis of these measures applied directly on the building of the committees of classifiers. The method of construction adopted is modeled as a search problem by the set of characteristics of the databases of the problem and the best set of committee members in order to find the committee of classifiers to produce the most accurate classification. This problem is solved by metaheuristic optimization techniques, in their mono and multi-objective versions. Analyzes are performed to verify if use or add the measures of good diversity and bad diversity in the optimization objectives creates more accurate committees. Thus, the contribution of this study is to determine whether the measures of good diversity and bad diversity can be used in mono-objective and multi-objective optimization techniques as optimization objectives for building committees of classifiers more accurate than those built by the same process, but using only the accuracy classification as objective of optimization

A saúde ambiental e os resíduos de serviços de saúde nos três níveis de complexidade do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS

The environmental management in the health establishments is a reality still little explored in the health sector in Brazil, especially concerning its wastes. The management of wastes of health services is established in the valid legislation through the National Council of Environment and Sanitary Vigilance Agency (358/2005 and 304/2004 respectively). The present work is about a descriptive work about the environmental health in the health services. The used criterion was to diagnose the environmental management in twelve establishments of health inserted in the three levels of complexity of the Unique Health System (Sistema Ùnico de Saúde SUS). Among the sub criteria used the waste management is the one of bigger concern. The one referring to the water quality is considered good. The analysis of data reveals that 66% of the establishments got a poor environmental ranking, 17% critical and 17% appropriate, showing that the health establishments in the three levels of complexity of the SUS need urgent structural, environmental and educational interventions

Em busca do estado participativo: os desafios da participação social na gestão ambiental

The existence of several negative indicators such as deforestation, pollution of rivers and urban growth disorderly suggest a scenario of serious environmental degradation in Brazil, allowing that the model of public management of the environment here is not practiced efficiently, despite to be a recognition-of environmental legislation as one of the best and most comprehensive in the world. One of the main causes of this problem is the low social participation in environmental management that often exists only in the formal plan. Thus, although defined as Democratic State, in practice, it is only a Figurative State. Based on the study of the origin of the state and social participation in the Brazilian State, in general scope, and some environment committees and public hearings in Rio Grande do Norte, as instruments of social control, in particular scope, it is possible to build a real Democratic State in environmental management, a Participative State, in which all players are aware of the responsibility and committed to the duty assigned to them by the constitutional text with the present and future generations

Predictors of adherence to influenza vaccination for healthcare workers from a teaching hospital: a study in the prepandemic era

Introduction: Even before the 2009 pandemics, influenza in healthcare workers (HCW) was a known threat to patient safety, while Influenza vaccine coverage in the same group was generally low. Identification of predictors for HCW adherence to Influenza vaccination has challenged infection control committees. Methods: Our group conducted a cross-sectional survey in December 2007, interviewing 125 HCWs from a teaching hospital to identify adherence predictors for Influenza vaccination. The outcomes of interest were: A - adherence to the 2007 vaccination campaign; B - adherence to at least three yearly campaigns in the past five years. Demographic and professional data were assessed through univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: of the HCWs interviewed, 43.2% were vaccinated against Influenza in 2007. However, only 34.3% of HCWs working in healthcare for more than five years had adhered to at least three of the last five vaccination campaigns. Multivariate analysis showed that working in a pediatric unit (OR = 7.35, 95% I = 1.90-28.44, p = 0.004) and number of years in the job (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.00-1.74, p = 0.049) were significant predictors of adherence to the 2007 campaign. Physicians returned the worst outcome performances in A (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.16-0.97, p = 0.04) and B (OR = 0.17, 95%CI = 0.05-0.60, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Strategies to improve adherence to Influenza vaccination should focus on physicians and newly-recruited HCWs. New studies are required to assess the impact of the recent Influenza A pandemics on HCW-directed immunization policies.

Decreased Sperm Motility in Rats Orally Exposed to Single or Mixed Pesticides

The Brazilian Agency of Sanitary Vigilance (ANVISA) conducted a study that demonstrated the presence of residues of several pesticides in fresh fruits and vegetables that were available for purchase by the general populace. In order to evaluate potential adverse health effects of low-level exposure to agrochemicals, the reproductive toxicity of the pesticides dicofol, dichlorvos, permethrin, endosulfan, and dieldrin was evaluated in rats dosed with these chemicals individually or as mixtures. Sixty male Lewis rats (6 wk old, 200 x g) were randomly allocated to 8 groups: (1) control group, received basal diet; (2) 5 groups designated a to e received the diet containing each pesticide individually, at the respective effective doses: lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for dieldrin and endosulfan, lowest-observed-effect level (LOEL) for dicofol, and lowest effect level (LEL) for dichlorvos and permethrin, respectively, depending on the published data; (3) effective dose group, which received a mixture of pesticides added to basal diet at the respective doses reported to produce adverse effects; and (4) low dose group, which received a pesticide mixture added to the basal diet, where each pesticide was at its no-observed-effect level (NOEL). After 8 wk of treatment, reproductive parameters were evaluated. Sperm morphology, daily sperm production (DSP), sperm transit time through the epididymis, hormonal levels, and histopathological evaluation of testis and epididymis did not differ significantly among the groups. However, sperm motility was significantly decreased in animals that received a mixture of dieldrin, endosulfan, dicofol, dichlorvos, and permethrin, as well as in the group receiving dicofol alone. Exposure to the individual pesticides endosulfan, dichlorvos, and permethrin did not markedly affect sperm motility. The impairment of sperm motility in the mixture of pesticides at the NOEL level indicates that reproductive effects not seen with individual pesticides may occur in presence of several pesticides due to an additive effect. However, the pesticide mixtures did not appear to affect DSP or spermatogenesis despite reduced sperm motility.

Avaliação da qualidade da atenção básica em 37 municípios do centro-oeste paulista: características da organização da assistência

No Estado de São Paulo, existe uma rede extensiva de serviços de Atenção Básica (AB) com perfil organizacional heterogêneo e pouco conhecido. Este estudo objetiva caracterizar a organização dos serviços de AB em 37 municípios do Centro-oeste paulista, como primeira etapa de um projeto de avaliação da qualidade desses serviços. Trata-se de um estudo transversal conduzido mediante questionário estruturado, autorrespondido pelos gerentes e equipes locais, com questões que abordam características institucionais e de organização e gerência do trabalho. Esses questionários foram enviados para 131 UBS, distribuídas em 37 municípios. Obteve-se resposta de 113 unidades (87%) localizadas em 32 municípios (86,4%). do total de unidades, 57 (50%) são UBS tradicionais, 26 (22,8%), Unidades de Saúde da Família, e 31, (27,2%) organizadas segundo formas mistas. A maioria dos serviços (62%, 70/113) não trabalha com área de abrangência delimitada de modo planejado. Os serviços se polarizam entre aqueles que realizam entre 70 e 100% de consultas médicas agendadas (37,6%, 41/109), e aqueles que realizam entre 70 e 100% de não agendadas (39,4%, 43/109). Não possuem conselhos locais organizados 65 unidades (63,7%, 65/102). Os dados coletados permitem discutir as características dos principais programas, procedimentos e ações realizados pelos serviços. Os perfis organizacionais predominantes apontam a presença de deficiências de estrutura e processo em relação às diretrizes do SUS. O desenvolvimento de instrumentos de autoavaliação permite que as equipes se apropriem, de forma crítica, de seu trabalho, e possam elaborar novos arranjos tecnológicos para melhoria da qualidade.

Oral cleft prevention program (OCPP)

Background: Oral clefts are one of the most common birth defects with significant medical, psychosocial, and economic ramifications. Oral clefts have a complex etiology with genetic and environmental risk factors. There are suggestive results for decreased risks of cleft occurrence and recurrence with folic acid supplements taken at preconception and during pregnancy with a stronger evidence for higher than lower doses in preventing recurrence. Yet previous studies have suffered from considerable design limitations particularly non-randomization into treatment. There is also well-documented effectiveness for folic acid in preventing neural tube defect occurrence at 0.4 mg and recurrence with 4 mg. Given the substantial burden of clefting on the individual and the family and the supportive data for the effectiveness of folic acid supplementation as well as its low cost, a randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of high versus low dose folic acid for prevention of cleft recurrence is warranted.Methods/design: This study will assess the effect of 4 mg and 0.4 mg doses of folic acid, taken on a daily basis during preconception and up to 3 months of pregnancy by women who are at risk of having a child with nonsyndromic cleft lip with/without palate (NSCL/P), on the recurrence of NSCL/P. The total sample will include about 6,000 women (that either have NSCL/P or that have at least one child with NSCL/P) randomly assigned to the 4 mg and the 0.4 mg folic acid study groups. The study will also compare the recurrence rates of NSCL/P in the total sample of subjects, as well as the two study groups (4mg, 0.4 mg) to that of a historical control group. The study has been approved by IRBs (ethics committees) of all involved sites. Results will be disseminated through publications and presentations at scientific meetings.Discussion: The costs related to oral clefts are high, including long term psychological and socio-economic effects. This study provides an opportunity for huge savings in not only money but the overall quality of life. This may help establish more specific clinical guidelines for oral cleft prevention so that the intervention can be better tailored for at-risk women.

Novos registros de Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912)(Diptera: Psychodidae) na região Centro-Leste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

A incidência das leishmanioses tegumentar (LTA) e visceral (LVA) americanas, especialmente essa última, em hospedeiros caninos e humanos, encontra-se em expansão no Estado de São Paulo. Na vigilância epidemiológica dessas endemias, torna-se fundamental o conhecimento da distribuição e ecologia das diferentes espécies de flebotomíneos. Assim, a divulgação de novos registros de seus vetores é fundamental para apontar novas áreas de risco para a transmissão dessas doenças. Neste estudo, realizaram-se capturas de flebotomíneos em ambiente de mata, em diferentes localidades dos municípios de Ipeúna, Itirapina e Analândia, entre agosto e setembro de 2007. Foram capturados 248 flebotomíneos de nove espécies diferentes, em Ipeúna, seis e sete espécimes de duas espécies distintas coletados respectivamente em Itirapina e Analândia. A espécie mais abundante em Ipeúna foi Pintomyia pessoai (37,5%), seguida de P. fischeri (33,06%) e Migonemyia migonei (16,53%). Essas três espécies são consideradas importantes vetores de LTA no território paulista. O registro de Lutzomyia longipalpis pela primeira vez em Ipeúna e Analândia e a confirmação de sua presença em Itirapina indicam risco de essabelecimento da LVA na área e a necessidade de mais estudos locais sobre sua ecologia, sobretudo em relação à ocupação de ambientes antrópicos.

A pós-graduação em educação no Brasil: alguns aspectos à luz de estudos realizados na área

Neste artigo apresentamos resultados obtidos com parte das atividades de pesquisa desenvolvidas em estágio pós-doutoral sobre a pós-graduação stricto sensu e a pesquisa educacional no Brasil. Para tanto, foi possível reunir uma vasta quantidade de estudos publicados, sobretudo no formato de artigo, em periódicos considerados de relevância para a área da educação. Nesses artigos, a opção foi pinçarmos alguns aspectos que julgamos capazes de proporcionar uma leitura sobre a pós-graduação em educação no Brasil, à luz dos estudos realizados na área. em considerações finais, destacamos, entre outros identificados nos estudos selecionados, aspectos que lembram aos integrantes das comissões que normatizam e avaliam o trabalho e a produção acadêmico-científico nos programas de pós-graduação em educação no Brasil de que ela é parte integrante de um projeto educacional geral do país e que, portanto, possui papel sócio-educativo de formação do pesquisador, do professor do ensino superior e de produção de conhecimento capaz de propor novas perspectivas para a nossa universidade e para os problemas educacionais brasileiros.

Raptors and campo-cerrado bird mixed flock led by Cypsnagra Hirundinacea (Emberizidae:Thraupinae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Implantação de sistemas de gestão ambiental ISO 14001: uma contribuição da área de gestão de pessoas

Os sistemas certificáveis de gestão ambiental, como a norma ISO 14001, têm sido uma opção cada vez mais utilizada pelas organizações para equacionarem suas demandas ambientais, padronizarem seu processo produtivo, reduzirem custos de produção e melhorarem sua imagem. Entretanto, seu processo de implantação em indústrias gera mudanças significativas na cultura e estrutura destas empresas e devem ser devidamente consideradas por gestores e consultores. Pelo exposto, o principal objetivo deste artigo é apresentar práticas, sistematizadas à luz da teoria com especial contribuição da área de gestão de pessoas e com base em dois estudos de caso, para implantação de sistemas de gestão ambiental ISO 14001 em empresas industriais. Para tanto, foram realizados dois estudos de caso: um em uma empresa de baterias automotivas e outro em uma empresa moveleira. Os dados foram coletados a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os gestores diretamente responsáveis por estes sistemas e com colaboradores-chave, observação in loco e análise de documentos. Ao final do artigo são apresentadas sugestões de práticas relacionadas aos seguintes elementos: alta direção, gestão de pessoas, comitê de gestão ambiental, missão e políticas, treinamento e comunicação.

A formação humana na perspectiva histórico-ontológica

O tema da formação humana está no centro da filosofia da educação, cujo objeto é precisamente o processo de promoção humana levado a efeito pela educação. A partir da vigilância crítica, própria da filosofia, o texto esboça uma fenomenologia da época atual, constatando que as ideias atualmente hegemônicas na educação se centram na crítica à razão e às noções de verdade e de objetividade. A esse neopragmatismo que, na tentativa de opor-se à metafísica, acaba por ser profundamente metafísico reduzindo tudo à linguagem, os autores contrapõem o pensamento de Marx como uma filosofia historicizadora em que estão em causa não os sujeitos abstratos, mas os indivíduos reais, sujeitos históricos que se constituem como síntese de relações sociais. Para tanto, recorre-se à reflexão histórico-ontológica sobre a formação humana contida nos Manuscritos econômico-filosóficos de 1844, de Marx. O artigo conclui com a defesa da tese de que o acesso aos clássicos é condição necessária para a formação humana.