Responsabilidade social corporativa como estratégia de negócio: modelos conceituais e exemplos ilustrativos

O tema da responsabilidade social empresarial vem ganhando força e atenção tanto das organizações empresariais quanto da sociedade civil. Os impactos do mundo pós-guerra, da globalização e do desenvolvimento somam consequências ambientais, sociais e poluição. Como atores inseridos nessas realidades, as empresas também sofrem as consequências destas mudanças. O próprio papel das organizações na sociedade e os limites e alcances de sua atuação recebem novas perspectivas. A conjuntura atual traz às empresas novos desafios e possibilidades no que se refere à Responsabilidade Corporativa. Estas mudanças têm impacto na própria organização da empresa (seus objetivos, relacionamento com consumidores, trabalhadores etc.) e, como consequência, em suas próprias estratégias. Grande parte das ações de Responsabilidade Corporativa se baseia em visões estreitas de atuação – essencialmente, uma postura reativa, como consequência de pressões e obrigações. No entanto, tem-se observado a ascensão de uma nova proposta, mais proativa: em algumas empresas pioneiras, a Responsabilidade Corporativa é vista como parte integrante e fundamental da estratégia empresarial, gerando benefícios não apenas para a sociedade, mas também para a própria empresa. O presente trabalho inicia-se com uma investigação da literatura sobre a evolução da Responsabilidade Social. Em seguida, propõe-se um modelo conceitual, relacionando Responsabilidade Corporativa e Estratégia, o qual expõe os caminhos possíveis de integração entre estes. Parte-se, portanto da ideia de que a Responsabilidade Corporativa pode ser abordada como uma questão estratégica, capaz de atender, em diferentes níveis e profundidades, pontos cruciais para o bom desempenho empresarial. A aplicabilidade do modelo proposto é demonstrada através da análise de exemplos ilustrativos de empresas que vêm incorporando a Responsabilidade Corporativa como parte integrante de sua estratégia de negócio. Como conclusão, constata-se que, quando é parte de uma estratégia formal, a adoção de uma abordagem responsável não só traz ganhos de imagem, mas também gera, para empresas que a praticam, resultados tangíveis, ao mesmo tempo em pode assegurar, para a Sociedade, um mundo mais sustentável, com melhor qualidade de vida para todos.

Captura e visualização de video 3d em tempo real

Vídeos são dos principais meios de difusão de conhecimento, informação e entretenimento existentes. Todavia, apesar da boa qualidade e da boa aceitação do público, os vídeos atuais ainda restringem o espectador a um único ponto de vista. Atualmente, alguns estudos estão sendo desenvolvidos visando oferecer ao espectador maior liberdade para decidir de onde ele gostaria de assistir a cena. O tipo de vídeo a ser produzido por essas iniciativas tem sido chamado genericamente de vídeo 3D. Esse trabalho propõe uma arquitetura para captura e exibição de vídeos 3D em tempo real utilizando as informações de cor e profundidade da cena, capturadas para cada pixel de cada quadro do vídeo. A informação de profundidade pode ser obtida utilizando-se câmeras 3D, algoritmos de extração de disparidade a partir de estéreo, ou com auxílio de luz estruturada. A partir da informação de profundidade é possível calcular novos pontos de vista da cena utilizando um algoritmo de warping 3D. Devido a não disponibilidade de câmeras 3D durante a realização deste trabalho, a arquitetura proposta foi validada utilizando um ambiente sintético construído usando técnicas de computação gráfica. Este protótipo também foi utilizado para analisar diversos algoritmos de visão computacional que utilizam imagens estereoscópias para a extração da profundidade de cenas em tempo real. O uso de um ambiente controlado permitiu uma análise bastante criteriosa da qualidade dos mapas de profundidade produzidos por estes algoritmos, nos levando a concluir que eles ainda não são apropriados para uso de aplicações que necessitem da captura de vídeo 3D em tempo real.

Multilayer optimization in radio resource allocation for the packet transmission in wireless networks

In the last decade mobile wireless communications have witnessed an explosive growth in the user’s penetration rate and their widespread deployment around the globe. It is expected that this tendency will continue to increase with the convergence of fixed Internet wired networks with mobile ones and with the evolution to the full IP architecture paradigm. Therefore mobile wireless communications will be of paramount importance on the development of the information society of the near future. In particular a research topic of particular relevance in telecommunications nowadays is related to the design and implementation of mobile communication systems of 4th generation. 4G networks will be characterized by the support of multiple radio access technologies in a core network fully compliant with the Internet Protocol (all IP paradigm). Such networks will sustain the stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements and the expected high data rates from the type of multimedia applications to be available in the near future. The approach followed in the design and implementation of the mobile wireless networks of current generation (2G and 3G) has been the stratification of the architecture into a communication protocol model composed by a set of layers, in which each one encompasses some set of functionalities. In such protocol layered model, communications is only allowed between adjacent layers and through specific interface service points. This modular concept eases the implementation of new functionalities as the behaviour of each layer in the protocol stack is not affected by the others. However, the fact that lower layers in the protocol stack model do not utilize information available from upper layers, and vice versa, downgrades the performance achieved. This is particularly relevant if multiple antenna systems, in a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) configuration, are implemented. MIMO schemes introduce another degree of freedom for radio resource allocation: the space domain. Contrary to the time and frequency domains, radio resources mapped into the spatial domain cannot be assumed as completely orthogonal, due to the amount of interference resulting from users transmitting in the same frequency sub-channel and/or time slots but in different spatial beams. Therefore, the availability of information regarding the state of radio resources, from lower to upper layers, is of fundamental importance in the prosecution of the levels of QoS expected from those multimedia applications. In order to match applications requirements and the constraints of the mobile radio channel, in the last few years researches have proposed a new paradigm for the layered architecture for communications: the cross-layer design framework. In a general way, the cross-layer design paradigm refers to a protocol design in which the dependence between protocol layers is actively exploited, by breaking out the stringent rules which restrict the communication only between adjacent layers in the original reference model, and allowing direct interaction among different layers of the stack. An efficient management of the set of available radio resources demand for the implementation of efficient and low complexity packet schedulers which prioritize user’s transmissions according to inputs provided from lower as well as upper layers in the protocol stack, fully compliant with the cross-layer design paradigm. Specifically, efficiently designed packet schedulers for 4G networks should result in the maximization of the capacity available, through the consideration of the limitations imposed by the mobile radio channel and comply with the set of QoS requirements from the application layer. IEEE 802.16e standard, also named as Mobile WiMAX, seems to comply with the specifications of 4G mobile networks. The scalable architecture, low cost implementation and high data throughput, enable efficient data multiplexing and low data latency, which are attributes essential to enable broadband data services. Also, the connection oriented approach of Its medium access layer is fully compliant with the quality of service demands from such applications. Therefore, Mobile WiMAX seems to be a promising 4G mobile wireless networks candidate. In this thesis it is proposed the investigation, design and implementation of packet scheduling algorithms for the efficient management of the set of available radio resources, in time, frequency and spatial domains of the Mobile WiMAX networks. The proposed algorithms combine input metrics from physical layer and QoS requirements from upper layers, according to the crosslayer design paradigm. Proposed schedulers are evaluated by means of system level simulations, conducted in a system level simulation platform implementing the physical and medium access control layers of the IEEE802.16e standard.

Análise fractal da vasculatura retínica: métodos de segmentação e de cálculo dimensional

Embora tenha sido proposto que a vasculatura retínica apresenta estrutura fractal, nenhuma padronização do método de segmentação ou do método de cálculo das dimensões fractais foi realizada. Este estudo objetivou determinar se a estimação das dimensões fractais da vasculatura retínica é dependente dos métodos de segmentação vascular e dos métodos de cálculo de dimensão. Métodos: Dez imagens retinográficas foram segmentadas para extrair suas árvores vasculares por quatro métodos computacionais (“multithreshold”, “scale-space”, “pixel classification” e “ridge based detection”). Suas dimensões fractais de “informação”, de “massa-raio” e “por contagem de caixas” foram então calculadas e comparadas com as dimensões das mesmas árvores vasculares, quando obtidas pela segmentação manual (padrão áureo). Resultados: As médias das dimensões fractais variaram através dos grupos de diferentes métodos de segmentação, de 1,39 a 1,47 para a dimensão por contagem de caixas, de 1,47 a 1,52 para a dimensão de informação e de 1,48 a 1,57 para a dimensão de massa-raio. A utilização de diferentes métodos computacionais de segmentação vascular, bem como de diferentes métodos de cálculo de dimensão, introduziu diferença estatisticamente significativa nos valores das dimensões fractais das árvores vasculares. Conclusão: A estimação das dimensões fractais da vasculatura retínica foi dependente tanto dos métodos de segmentação vascular, quanto dos métodos de cálculo de dimensão utilizados

Estudo termo-mecânico de interconector metálico recoberto com filme de La0,8Ca0,2CrO3 e de interconector cerâmico de La0,8Sr0,2Cr0,92Co0,08O3 para PaCOS

Doped lanthanum chromite ( LaCrO3 ) has been the most common material used as interconnect in solid oxide fuel cells for high temperature ( SOFC-HT ) that enabling the stack of SOFCs. The reduction of the operating temperature, to around 800 º C, of solid oxide fuel cells enabled the use of metallic interconnects as an alternative to ceramic LaCrO3, From the practical point of view, to be a strong candidate for interconnect the material must have good physical and mechanical properties such as resistance to oxidizing and reducing environments, easy manufacture and appropriate thermo-mechanical properties. Thus, a study on the physic-mechanical interconnects La0,8Sr0,2Cr0,92Co0,08O3 ceramics for SOFC -AT obtained by the method of combustion , as well as thermo-mechanical properties of metallic interconnects (AISI 444) covered with La0,8Ca0,2CrO3 by deposition technique by spray-pyrolysis fuel cells for intermediate temperature (IT-SOFCs). The La0,8Sr0,2Cr0,92Co0,08O3 was characterized by X -ray diffraction(XRD) , density and porosity , Vickers hardness (HV) , the flexural strength at room temperature and 900 °C and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X -ray diffraction confirmed the phase formation and LaCrO3 and CoCr2O4, in order 6 GPa hardness and mechanical strength at room temperature was 62 MPa ceramic Interconnector. The coated metal interconnects La0,8Ca0,2CrO3 passed the identification by XRD after deposition of the film after the oxidation test. The oxidative behavior showed increased resistance to oxidation of the metal substrate covered by La0,8Ca0,2CrO3 In flexural strength of the coated metal substrate, it was noticed only in the increased room temperature. The a SEM analysis proved the formation of Cr2O3 and (Cr,Mn)3O4 layers on metal substrate and confirmed the stability of the ceramic La0,8 Ca0,2CrO3 film after oxidative test

Proposta de integração das redes de comunicação da COSERN como uma solução de contigêncvia em caso de falhas nos enlaces do backbone de automação

T'his dissertation proposes alternative models to allow the interconnectioin of the data communication networks of COSERN Companhia Energética do Rio Grande do Norte. These networks comprise the oorporative data network, based on TCP/IP architecture, and the automation system linking remote electric energy distribution substations to the main Operatin Centre, based on digital radio links and using the IEC 60870-5-101 protoco1s. The envisaged interconnection aims to provide automation data originated from substations with a contingent route to the Operation Center, in moments of failure or maintenance of the digital radio links. Among the presented models, the one chosen for development consists of a computational prototype based on a standard personal computer, working under LINUX operational system and running na application, developesd in C language, wich functions as a Gateway between the protocols of the TCP/IP stack and the IEC 60870-5-101 suite. So, it is described this model analysis, implementation and tests of functionality and performance. During the test phase it was basically verified the delay introduced by the TCP/IP network when transporting automation data, in order to guarantee that it was cionsistent with the time periods present on the automation network. Besides , additional modules are suggested to the prototype, in order to handle other issues such as security and prioriz\ation of the automation system data, whenever they are travesing the TCP/IP network. Finally, a study hás been done aiming to integrate, in more complete way, the two considered networks. It uses IP platform as a solution of convergence to the communication subsystem of na unified network, as the most recente market tendencies for supervisory and other automation systems indicate

Correspondência estéreo usando imagens em multiresolução com profundidade variável

We propose a multi-resolution, coarse-to-fine approach for stereo matching, where the first matching happens at a different depth for each pixel. The proposed technique has the potential of attenuating several problems faced by the constant depth algorithm, making it possible to reduce the number of errors or the number of comparations needed to get equivalent results. Several experiments were performed to demonstrate the method efficiency, including comparison with the traditional plain correlation technique, where the multi-resolution matching with variable depth, proposed here, generated better results with a smaller processing time

Compressão auto-adaptativa de imagens coloridas

Image compress consists in represent by small amount of data, without loss a visual quality. Data compression is important when large images are used, for example satellite image. Full color digital images typically use 24 bits to specify the color of each pixel of the Images with 8 bits for each of the primary components, red, green and blue (RGB). Compress an image with three or more bands (multispectral) is fundamental to reduce the transmission time, process time and record time. Because many applications need images, that compression image data is important: medical image, satellite image, sensor etc. In this work a new compression color images method is proposed. This method is based in measure of information of each band. This technique is called by Self-Adaptive Compression (S.A.C.) and each band of image is compressed with a different threshold, for preserve information with better result. SAC do a large compression in large redundancy bands, that is, lower information and soft compression to bands with bigger amount of information. Two image transforms are used in this technique: Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Primary step is convert data to new bands without relationship, with PCA. Later Apply DCT in each band. Data Loss is doing when a threshold discarding any coefficients. This threshold is calculated with two elements: PCA result and a parameter user. Parameters user define a compression tax. The system produce three different thresholds, one to each band of image, that is proportional of amount information. For image reconstruction is realized DCT and PCA inverse. SAC was compared with JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) standard and YIQ compression and better results are obtain, in MSE (Mean Square Root). Tests shown that SAC has better quality in hard compressions. With two advantages: (a) like is adaptive is sensible to image type, that is, presents good results to divers images kinds (synthetic, landscapes, people etc., and, (b) it need only one parameters user, that is, just letter human intervention is required

Análise da indução de fluxo de ar por convecção livre em chaminé solar

Experiments were performed to study the effect of surface properties of a vertical channel heated by a source of thermal radiation to induce air flow through convection. Two channels (solar chimney prototype) were built with glass plates, forming a structure of truncated pyramidal geometry. We considered two surface finishes: transparent and opaque. Each stack was mounted on a base of thermal energy absorber with a central opening for passage of air, and subjected to heating by a radiant source comprises a bank of incandescent bulbs and were performed field tests. Thermocouples were fixed on the bases and on the walls of chimneys and then connected to a data acquisition system in computer. The air flow within the chimney, the speed and temperature were measured using a hot wire anemometer. Five experiments were performed for each stack in which convective flows were recorded with values ranging from 17 m³ / h and 22 m³ / h and air flow velocities ranging from 0.38 m / s and 0.56 m / s for the laboratory tests and air velocities between 0.6 m/s and 1.1m/s and convective airflows between 650 m³/h and 1150 m³/h for the field tests. The test data were compared to those obtained by semi-empirical equations, which are valid for air flow induced into channels and simulated data from 1st Thermodynamics equation. It was found that the chimney with transparent walls induced more intense convective flows than the chimney with matte finish. Based on the results obtained can be proposed for the implementation of prototype to exhaust fumes, mists, gases, vapors, mists and dusts in industrial environments, to help promote ventilation and air renewal in built environments and for drying materials, fruits and seeds

Avaliação da degradação de macrófitas aquáticas descartadas em ambiente protegido

Com o intuito de buscar informações sobre a degradação de macrófitas aquáticas descartadas em pilhas, após ações do controle mecânico, foi conduzido um experimento no Departamento de Recursos Naturais - Ciências Ambientais, UNESP, campus de Botucatu-SP. Para atender o objetivo proposto, foram montadas pilhas com volume de 2,25 m³, compostas, principalmente, por três espécies de macrófitas, retiradas do reservatório da UHE Americana/SP. Foram coletadas amostras na montagem das pilhas, aos 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias, para o acompanhamento da temperatura da pilha e do pH do material orgânico durante o processo, além de uma análise química do composto ao final dos 90 dias. Os tratamentos foram: T1 - somente plantas aquáticas e revolvimento da pilha a cada sete dias; T2 - somente plantas aquáticas e revolvimento a cada quatro dias; T3 - plantas aquáticas + permagel, com revolvimento a cada sete dias; e T4 - plantas aquáticas + permagel e revolvimento a cada quatro dias. Utilizou-se o delineamento estatístico inteiramente casualizado, sendo a análise estatística realizada para coleta aos 90 dias, empregando o programa SISVAR. Concluiu-se que os resultados de macro e micronutrientes, temperatura, umidade, pH, relação C/N e redução do volume das pilhas foram semelhantes aos observados quando se procedeu ao descarte em pilhas com volume de 4,5 m³ sobre o solo.

Registro semiautomático entre imagens infravermelhas e RGB coletadas por um par de câmaras digitais

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

A multisampling time-domain CMOS imager with synchronous readout circuit

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

Padrão de distribuição e caracterização morfológica de fibras serotonérgicas nos núcleos da linha Média/ intralaminares do tálamo do mocó (Kerodon rupestris)

The midline/intralaminar nuclei form a remarkable group of nuclei of the medial and dorsal thalamus. The midline nuclei, in rats, comprises the paratenial nuclei (PT), paraventricular (PV), intermediodorsal (IMD), reuniens (Re) and rhomboid (Rh). The intralaminar nuclei comprises the central medial (CM), paracentral (PC), central lateral (CL) and parafascicular (PF). Such nuclei have dense serotonergic innervation originating from the brainstem, especially from the so-called ascending activation system. These nuclei, in turn, send projections to various cortical and subcortical areas, specifically to limbic areas, which suggests the important role of this neurotransmitter in the limbic circuitry. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution pattern and morphology of serotonin fibers in the nuclei of the midline and intralaminar thalamic of rocky cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a tipical rodent from brazilizan northeast. To reach this aim we used four rock cavies adults. Following the transcardially perfusion with paraformaldehyde and brain microtomy steps was performed immunohistochemistry for serotonin (5-HT), Nissl technique and subsequent achievement and image analysis to characterize the cytoarchitecture of these nuclei and the serotonergic fibers visualized. An analysis was made of Relative Optical Density (ROD) to semi-quantify the concentration of serotonin fibers in the areas of interest. Thus, we observed a cytoarchitectonic arrangement of these nuclei similar to that found in rats. In case of fibers distribution, those immunoreactive to 5-HT were presented in a higher concentration according as ROD in the midline nuclei relative to intralaminar; Re being the core which has a higher pixel value followed by the PV , Rh, IMD and PT. In intralaminar CL showed higher pixels, followed by nuclei CM, PC and PF. The serotonergic fibers were classified as number of varicosities and axon diameter, therefore find three types of fibers distributed through this nuclear complex: fibers rugous, granular and semi-granular. In PV fibers predominated rugous; in PT fibers predominated granular; IMD, CL and PF fibers were represented by semi-granular and Re, Rh, PC and CM fibers showed granular and semi-granular. Morphological characterization of serotonergic fibers and differences in density between the nuclei may suggest different patterns of synaptic organization of this neurotransmitter beyond confirming his large repertoire functional

The minimization of open stacks problem: A review of some properties and their use in pre-processing operations

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Quantitative fractography under light microscopy: A digital image processing approach

This work is an example of the improvement on quantitative fractography by means of digital image processing and light microscopy. Two techniques are presented to investigate the quantitative fracture behavior of Ti-4Al-4V heat-treated alloy specimens, under Charpy impact testing. The first technique is the Minkowski method for fractal dimension measurement from surface profiles, revealing the multifractal character of Ti-4Al-4V fracture. It was not observed a clear positive correlation of fractal values against Charpy energies for Ti-4Al-4V alloy specimens, due to their ductility, microstructural heterogeneities and the dynamic loading characteristics at region near the V-notch. The second technique provides an entire elevation map of fracture surface by extracting in-focus regions for each picture from a stack of images acquired at successive focus positions, then computing the surface roughness. Extended-focus reconstruction has been used to explain the behavior along fracture surface. Since these techniques are based on light microscopy, their inherent low cost is very interesting for failure investigations.