A Study of Highways Performance with a Molp-Dea Model and an Interactive Tri-Criteria Linear Programming Package (Trimap)

This paper deals with the evaluation of a few Brazilian privatised highways. We use Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for that. As the number of highways is too small, we need to use an additional method to avoid ties in the evaluation index. The MCDEA model of Li and Reeves (a tri-objective model) is adequate to solve this problem. The authors suggest the extension of the CCR model, considering two extra objective functions, i.e. a min-max function, corresponding to a measure of equity and a min-sum function, favouring some sort of overall evaluation of the DMUs, from the point of view of the DMU under analysis. The graphic decomposition of the weighting space (used in TRIMAP as an operational tool), the possibility of introducing constraints on the objective function values during the search automatically translated into the weighting space make it specially adequate to explore the MCDEA model.

Análise de eficiência de produção de biodiesel em escala laboratorial utilizando a metodologia Network DEA-Data Envelopment Analysis

This study aims to evaluate the biodiesel production performance in laboratorial scale, applying the Network Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. This model allows to estimate the efficiency and volumes of different kind of oils used in tests. The input and output variables were obtained experimentally at the Laboratory of Post-Harvest Technology and Processing of Agricultural Products - LTPC of the Department of Engineering of the Federal Fluminense University. It was made an efficiency analysis in networks, separated in three stages. In the first stage, were used as inputs: oil, alcohol, catalysts and glycerol (undesirable output) in order to analyze the crude biodiesel production (first stage output). In the second stage, the intermediate product generated in the first stage, was used as input, in addition to acid and deionized water, having as output the washed biodiesel. And, in the third stage, the intermediate product generated in the second stage, washed biodiesel, was used as input, with the final product being the washed and filtered biodiesel. The results suggested that for the production stage, the first one, the smaller volumes were more efficient, but for the global stage the most efficient was the DMU Canola 200mL. The model presented scale returns and a raising scale factor, for all kinds of oil.O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o desempenho da produção do biodiesel em escala laboratorial, aplicando o modelo Network Data Envelopment Analysis - DEA. Com este modelo, foi possível avaliar a eficiência dos tipos de óleos e seus volumes. Para isso, foram consideradas variáveis de insumo e produto obtidas experimentalmente no Laboratório de Tecnologia Pós-Colheita e Processamento de Produtos Agrícolas - LTPC do Departamento de Engenharia da Universidade Federal Fluminense, sendo esta análise dividida em três estágios, ou seja, uma análise de eficiência em redes. No primeiro estágio, foram utilizados o óleo, álcool, catalisador e glicerina (output indesejável), entradas utilizadas para analisar a produção de biodiesel bruto (output). Já no segundo estágio, o produto intermediário gerado no primeiro estágio foi então utilizado como entrada, além do ácido e água deionizada, tendo como saída o biodiesel lavado. E, no terceiro estágio, o produto intermediário gerado no segundo estágio foi utilizado como entrada, tendo como produto final o biodiesel seco e filtrado. Os resultados sugeriram que para o estágio 1, o de produção, os menores volumes foram mais eficientes, porém para o estágio global o mais eficiente foi a DMU Canola 200ml. O modelo apresentou retornos de escala

Evaluation of post-graduate programs using a network data envelopment analysis model

Despite standard Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models having been widely used in assessing efficiency in education, a few studies use Network DEA (NDEA) models in educational evaluation. In this paper, we proposed an alternative to the official evaluation performed every three years by CAPES (Brazilian agency for post-graduation programs regulation) using an NDEA model. The use of NDEA is justified because depending on the point of view, some variables can be considered either inputs or outputs. The use of NDEA avoids the need to decide whether a variable is an input or output of the entire process. This happens because a variable can be both an output for one stage and an input for another. Our relational NDEA model computes both productivity and quality assessments together with global efficiency using bibliometric data.A pesar de que los modelos estándar del Análisis Envolvente de Datos (DEA) han sido ampliamente utilizados en la evaluación de la eficiencia en educación, existen pocos estudios que utilizan modelos DEA en red (Network DEA – NDEA) en la evaluación educativa. En el presente trabajo, se ha propuesto una alternativa a la evaluación oficial realizada a cada tres años por la CAPES (agencia brasileña para la regulación de los programas de post-graduación) mediante un modelo DEA en red. El uso de NDEA se justifica ya que dependiendo del punto de vista algunas variables pueden ser consideradas como entradas o como salidas. El uso de NDEA evita la necesidad de decidir si una variable es una entrada o una salida de todo el proceso. Esto ocurre porque una variable puede ser tanto una salida para una etapa y una entrada para otro. Nuestro modelo relacional NDEA evalúa tanto la productividad como la calidad junto con la eficiencia global, a partir de datos bibliométricos

Modelo de análisis multicriterio en la evaluación de los diferentes cultivos para producción de biodiesel

Macbeth model is a multicriteria tool for the multicriteria decision making that has been used in different projects and studies of renewable energies. The purpose of this paper was apply the software Macbeth for the evaluation of canola, corn, palm and soy crops taking in to account technician, environmental and economic criterias and their weights. Canola crop was the best option for the biodiesel production, with a global score of 74 points because of their good score in environmental criterias, wich had a higher weight than the other criterias. Corn crop was the second positioned, presenting good results in all criterias, followed by palm crop. The final one was soy crop with 36,67 points in this analysis.El modelo de Macbeth es una herramienta multicriterio para la toma de decisión multicriterio que se ha utilizado en diferentes proyectos y estudios de las energías renovables. El propósito de este trabajo fue aplicado el software Macbeth para la evaluación de canola, maíz, Palma y soja cultivos teniendo en cuenta técnico, criterios ambientales y económicos y sus pesos. Cultivo de canola era la mejor opción para la producción de biodiesel, con un global de 74 puntos debido a su buena puntuación en criterios ambientales, cual tenía un mayor peso que los otros criterios. Cultivo de maíz fue el segundo colocado, presentando buenos resultados en todos los criterios, seguido por cultivo de Palma. El final fue cosecha de soja con 36,67 puntos en este análisis

COVID Health Structure Index - The vulnerability of Brazilian microregions

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Prevalence and incidence of Parkinson's disease and other forms of parkinsonism in a cohort of elderly individuals in Southern Brazil : protocol for a population-based study

Introduction Parkinsonism is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting the elderly. Several population-based studies have determined the epidemiology of parkinsonism, mainly Parkinson’s disease (PD), but there is still little evidence in the Brazilian population. This protocol study aims to assess the prevalence and incidence of cases of PD and other parkinsonian syndromes in a 5-year cohort in a population-based study in the southern region of Brazil. Methods and analysis A prospective population-based longitudinal study, with a cohort of development of cases of parkinsonism, divided into two phases: in phase I, two questionnaires to screen for parkinsonism (Tanner’s questionnaire), Rapid Eyes Movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single-Question Screen) and a short interview will be conducted with all elderly residents of Veranópolis (the first longevity Brazilian county located in the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) aged 60 or over. The positive screened cases will be examined independently by at least two movement disorder-trained physicians and prevalence will be determined. A comprehensive evaluation of prodromic symptoms, risk factors and clinical characteristics will be carried out. Subjects with subtle parkinsonism and a sample of healthy subjects will be followed for 5 years in a developmental cohort of parkinsonism cases. For crude incidence, all individuals admitted at the beginning of the study will be re-evaluated