Beyond the shortest path: the path length index as a distribution

The traditional complex network approach considers only the shortest paths from one node to another, not taking into account several other possible paths. This limitation is significant, for example, in urban mobility studies. In this short report, as the first steps, we present an exhaustive approach to address that problem and show we can go beyond the shortest path, but we do not need to go so far: we present an interactive procedure and an early stop possibility. After presenting some fundamental concepts in graph theory, we presented an analytical solution for the problem of counting the number of possible paths between two nodes in complete graphs, and a depth-limited approach to get all possible paths between each pair of nodes in a general graph (an NP-hard problem). We do not collapse the distribution of path lengths between a pair of nodes into a scalar number, we look at the distribution itself - taking all paths up to a pre-defined path length (considering a truncated distribution), and show the impact of that approach on the most straightforward distance-based graph index: the walk/path length

Flood risk map from hydrological and mobility data: a case study in S\~ao Paulo (Brazil)

Cities increasingly face flood risk primarily due to extensive changes of the natural land cover to built-up areas with impervious surfaces. In urban areas, flood impacts come mainly from road interruption. This paper proposes an urban flood risk map from hydrological and mobility data, considering the megacity of S\~ao Paulo, Brazil, as a case study. We estimate the flood susceptibility through the Height Above the Nearest Drainage algorithm; and the potential impact through the exposure and vulnerability components. We aggregate all variables into a regular grid and then classify the cells of each component into three classes: Moderate, High, and Very High. All components, except the flood susceptibility, have few cells in the Very High class. The flood susceptibility component reflects the presence of watercourses, and it has a strong influence on the location of those cells classified as Very High.Comment: 22 pages, 20 figure

Análise das competências necessárias aos membros do colegiado pleno do Programa de Pós-graduação em Administração universitária da UFSC para a realização das ações previstas em seu planejamento estratégico

This study aims to identify the necessary competences of the members of the Collegiate of the Program in University Administration at UFSC to carry out the actions foreseen in its strategic planning. The work is justified by the need to deepen studies on Management by Competencies in the field of universities, seeking to advance discussions on the subject and develop new implications with regard to the necessary competencies of collegiate members in graduate programs. We sought to identify the actions foreseen in the strategic planning of the PPGAU/UFSC; define the competencies foreseen in the Program's strategic planning; map the competences of the members of its Full Collegiate and suggest referral actions for managers and members involved in strategic actions. As for the methodology, it is a research with a qualitative approach, a case study, with bibliographical and documental research, being used interviews and content analysis. The survey results show a considerable amount of skills that were identified and validated by the interviewees and by the PPGAU/UFSC Coordination, which indicates the thoroughness of public service actions and the selection of the most suitable individuals to perform the actions that culminate in the objectives of strategic planning. The conclusions suggest that competency management is a fundamental requirement for achieving excellence within university institutions and that scientific contributions are indispensable for academic managers to expand the range of tools available for professional practice in the daily routine of university management.Este estudo objetiva identificar as competências necessárias dos membros do Colegiado Pleno do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração Universitária da UFSC para a realização das ações previstas em seu planejamento estratégico. O trabalho se justifica pela necessidade de aprofundamento dos estudos sobre Gestão por Competências no campo das universidades, ao buscar avançar nas discussões sobre o tema e desenvolver novas implicações no que diz respeito às competências necessárias de membros de colegiado em programas de pós-graduação. Buscou-se identificar as ações previstas no planejamento estratégico do PPGAU/UFSC; definir as competências previstas no planejamento estratégico do Programa; mapear as competências dos membros de seu Colegiado Pleno e sugerir ações de encaminhamento para os gestores e membros envolvidos nas ações estratégicas. Quanto à metodologia, trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, estudo de caso, com pesquisas bibliográfica e documental, sendo utilizadas entrevista e análise de conteúdo. Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciam uma quantidade considerável de competências que foram apontadas e validadas pelos entrevistados e pela Coordenação do PPGAU/UFSC, o que indica a minuciosidade das ações do serviço público e a seleção dos indivíduos mais adequados para executar as ações que culminam nos objetivos do planejamento estratégico. As conclusões sugerem a gestão por competências como requisito fundamental para o atingimento da excelência no âmbito das instituições universitárias e que contribuições científicas são indispensáveis aos gestores acadêmicos para ampliar o leque de ferramentas disponíveis para o exercício profissionalizado no cotidiano da gestão universitária

Epidemiological Profile of Precocious Neonatal Mortality in the Period 2008 to 2015 in Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of precocious neonatal infant mortality in the city of Porto Velho, Rondonia. A quantitative, descriptive study with an ecological approach was carried out. The data source used was secondary, originating from the linkage between SINASC and SIM databases, from the Health Surveillance Agency of the Rondonia Health Department. For treatment, absolute frequency analyzes were performed. The neonatal infant mortality rate was 9.7 deaths per thousand live births, with a predominance of the preterm neonatal patient: 7.2 deaths per thousand live births. Of the deaths, 482 (72.8%) occurred in the precocious neonatal period (0 to 6 days) and 164 (24.7%) in the late neonatal 7 to 27 days of life. The findings indicate the need to improve the quality of health care services available in the city, both prenatal and obstetric care in the neonatal period

Prevalence, incidence and distribution of citrus variegated chlorosis in Bahia, Brazil

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) is one of the most important diseases for Brazilian citriculture. It is caused by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca, a xylem limited, cycadelid and budwood transmitted bacterium. In Bahia, the second most important citrus region in Brazil, CVC has been present since 1997. Our objectives were to characterize the regional spatial pattern of CVC and to establish a relationship between epidemiological variables and horticultural practices, as well as to evaluate whether control measures used so far have been effective and, based on that, to conceive suitable control measures. A series of surveys were performed in two regions of Bahia State (Recôncavo Baiano and Litoral Norte), along with a survey of horticultural and control practices associated with sampled groves. CVC was restricted to Litoral Norte region, especially to three municipalities along the border between Bahia and Sergipe States. The mean CVC incidence in these municipalities followed a gradient, higher in the countryside and decreasing along the coast. Presence and dissemination of CVC was related to poor nursery practices, a massive use of a susceptible orange variety, and an extreme concentration of orange groves in high incidence municipalities, as well as to the absence of specific CVC control. Considering that CVC was not found in Recôncavo Baiano, this region could be considered a "CVC free zone" by the local government. Copyright by the Brazilian Phytopathological Society.EC/ICA4-CT-2001-10005CNPqFAPES

Vulnerability analysis in complex networks under a flood risk reduction point of view

The measurement and mapping of transportation network vulnerability to natural hazards constitute subjects of global interest for a sustainable development agenda and as means of adaptation to climate change. During a flood, some elements of a transportation network can be affected, causing the loss of lives. Furthermore, impacts include damage to vehicles, streets/roads, and other logistics services - sometimes with severe economic consequences. The Network Science approach may offer a valuable perspective considering one type of vulnerability related to network-type critical infrastructures: the topological vulnerability. The topological vulnerability index associated with an element is defined as reducing the network’s average efficiency due to removing the set of edges related to that element. In this paper, we present the results of a systematic literature overview and a case study applying the topological vulnerability index for the highways in Santa Catarina (Brazil). We produce a map considering that index and areas susceptible to urban floods and landslides. Risk knowledge, combining hazard and vulnerability, is the first pillar of an Early Warning System and represents an important tool for stakeholders of the transportation sector in a disaster risk reduction agenda.Peer Reviewe

Coronaviruses Detected in Brazilian Wild Birds Reveal Close Evolutionary Relationships with Beta- and Deltacoronaviruses Isolated From Mammals

This study showed that the most of the coronaviruses (CoVs) detected in Brazilian wild birds clustered with the mouse hepatitis virus A59 strain, belonging to the BetaCoV group. Furthermore, CoV detected in two different bird species, Amazona vinacea and Brotogeris tirica, clustered with a CoV isolated from Sparrow (SpaCoV HKU17) belonging to a monophyletic group related with the CoVs isolated from swines (PorCoV HKU15), both belonging to the DeltaCoV genus, previously unreported in South America. Considering the risk of inter-species host switching and further adaptation to new hosts, detection in bird species of CoVs closely related to mammal CoVs should warn for the potential emergence of new threatening viruses.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Grants 2013/03922-6 and 2011/50919-5