Standard concepts for performance improvements in the airport operations areas: global interoprability

Because of the exponential growth of air traffic and its importance of integration of countries, the implementation of improvements in the Global ATM system is becoming increasingly necessary. Within this scope, ICAO brings, within its Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), an easily understood methodology called: “Aviation System Blocks Upgrade” (ASBU). It defines a language with a programmatic and flexible approach, aiming at performance improvements in the systems. And one of the sectors where one of these performance improvements is sought, as recommended in the ASBU, is the Airport Operations Area. In this area is the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) process. This research aimed to review and improve the A-CDM method to enable its use in airports with lower disbursement capacity. It is based on regulations issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and academic papers. Theoretically, it went deeper into the various global air navigation systems, such as the processes employed by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Positions from entities such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) were also researched. Subsequently, case studies of airports and interviews with international experts with knowledge on the subject were carried out. Finally, a survey was conducted with members of the Air Sector from around the world. Always focused on seeking compatibilities and opportunities for improvement in the process, mainly in economic gains. According to the sequential strategy exposed above, a scenario analysis is done based on the results obtained at the end of the work. Then, a conclusion is presented, which aims to to apply the referred system, not only in countries with high capacity disbursement but mainly to deliver a solution that allows its application in countries and airports with medium to low financial resources. This solution presented is the goal sought in the research.Tendo em vista o crescimento exponencial do tráfego aéreo e a sua importância na integração dos países, a implantação de melhorias no sistema ATM Global torna-se cada vez mais necessária. Neste sentido a ICAO preconiza, dentro do seu Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), uma metodologia de fácil entendimento chamada: “Aviation System Blocks Upgrade” (ASBU). Tal metodologia define uma linguagem com abordagem programática, e flexível, visando melhorias de desempenho nos sistemas. E um dos setores onde é procurada uma dessas melhorias de desempenho, conforme preconizado no ASBU, é a área de Operações Aeroportuárias e, em particular, o processo de Airport Colaborative Decision Making (A-CDM). Esta investigação visou realizar uma revisão do método A-CDM, com base em regulamentos e trabalhos acadêmicos sobre o assunto. Aprofundando teoricamente com base nos diversos sistemas de navegação aérea globais, como os processos empregados pela European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) e pela Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Também foram pesquisados os posicionamentos a respeito do tema de entidades associativas, como da Airports Council International (ACI), da International Air Transport Association (IATA) e da Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO). De forma subsequente realizaram-se estudos de caso de aeroportos e foram realizadas entrevistas com especialistas internacionais conhecedores do assunto. Finalmente realizou-se um inquérito com integrantes do Setor Aéreo de todo o mundo. Sempre com o foco de buscar compatibilidades e oportunidades de melhoria no referido processo, principalmente em termos de ganhos econômicos. Ao final do trabalho, de acordo com a estratégia sequencial acima exposta, e com base no resultados colhidos, é feita uma análise de cenário e apresentada uma conclusão, a qual visa que o referido sistema possa ser aplicado, não somente em países de grande capacidade de investimento mas também, e principalmente, apresentar uma solução que permita sua aplicação em países, e aeroportos, com médios a baixos recursos financeiros. Sendo este o resultado buscado na pesquisa

The Airport A-CDM Operational Implementation Description and Challenges

Purpose: This research aims to address an issue that today is a significant challenge for all signatory countries of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The implementation of the areas for improving practices recommended in the Global Navigation Plan (GANP). More specifically on the theme of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), which involves three of the most critical stakeholders in the Air Sector, which are Airlines, Airports and Air Traffic Control Bodies. Design/methodology: The strategy chosen to achieve the objective is to present the vision of the leading entities that represent the aviation area. Thus, the methodology of the Case Study, more precisely the Multiple Case Study, is one of the bases in the elaboration of the article, in the sense that analyses and recommendations prepared by Central Aviation Organizations are carried out, as well as by other entities that bring together the Sector members. Findings: In addition to having a basis for the functioning of a Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) process within the Air Sector –because of the extreme dynamics of the sector–, readers will have a signal of the importance of having a systematic backing of document contents ICAO before starting any professional or research work. Mainly from the GANP document, a compass for these activities in the coming decades. Practical implications: Academics and members of the Air Sector will have a brief reference and focused on the practical application of this topic, which still has very few approaches in academic research sources. Originality/value: The educational form in which this article is sequenced, as well as the different views presented, can serve as a guide for the understanding of all those interested in the airline industry. Making it an original document in its content and of great value to its professionals and researchers.Peer Reviewe

CDM description and operational implementation challenges

The purpose of this research is to discuss a subject that, today, is a significant challenger of all the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) signatory countries: the implementation of the Performance Improvement Areas preconized in the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). To achieve the objective of providing a better understanding of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) processes the strategy chosen was to present the vision and implementation of the main entities representing the aviation area, such as the didactic form as the article is sequenced and the case studies discussed will present solutions for countries that aren’t so advanced in the implementation of their A-CDM operational processes. Also, the article will act as a guide for all stakeholders. The contribution of the research will be to provide further support to all stakeholders in the air transport sector, regarding basic knowledge and more technical approaches of compliance with the recommended guidelines for the next decades in GANP. ICAO. In this specific case, regarding Performance Improvement Area: Airport Operations and the A-CDM module.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vacuum effective actions and mass-dependent renormalization in curved space

We review past and present results on the non-local form-factors of the effective action of semiclassical gravity in two and four dimensions computed by means of a covariant expansion of the heat kernel up to the second order in the curvatures. We discuss the importance of these form-factors in the construction of mass-dependent beta functions for the Newton's constant and the other gravitational couplings.Comment: 26 pages, review prepared for the special issue of Universe collecting the contributions for the workshop "Quantum Fields - from Fundamental Concepts to Phenomenological Questions" (Mainz 26-28 September 2018), covers the results of 1803.06948 and 1812.0046

Perdendo Altitude: Ascensão e Declínio da INFRAERO

O cenário brasileiro de gestão de aeroportos indica que a Empresa Brasileira de Infraestrutura Aeroportuária (INFRAERO) vem perdendo receita com seus principais aeroportos. O objetivo deste artigo é entender o que contribuiu para a ascensão e o declínio da INFRAERO. Este estudo é apoiado pelas teorias da complexidade, dos sistemas e do interesse público. Considera a base teórica e legal da privatização, regulação e desregulamentação. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo de natureza aplicada, seguindo a estratégia do estudo de caso. Os dados primários foram coletados em entrevistas com especialistas do setor aeroportuário. Os dados secundários obtidos através da análise documental dos relatórios da INFRAERO, bem como de estudos realizados no setor aeroportuário. Até 2003, a INFRAERO era uma operadora lucrativa e respeitada em todo o mundo. A recente concessão aeroportuária brasileira levou a INFRAERO a perder receita com seus principais aeroportos e terminais de carga. O moral de seus funcionários foi profundamente abalado. Espera-se que esta pesquisa indique os motivos do declínio da INFRAERO. Os dados primários e secundários coletados também permitirão uma discussão teórico-empírica. A pesquisa apresenta relevância empírica, teórica e acadêmica. Empiricamente, os resultados desta pesquisa permitirão aos membros do setor aéreo aprender, compreendendo os fatores que transformaram uma empresa respeitada e lucrativa a entrar em um processo de declínio. Teoricamente, retomará aspectos específicos das teorias no contexto organizacional do aeroporto. Academicamente, este estudo fornecerá subsídios para a continuação da pesquisa no setor aeroportuário em todo o mundo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Form factors and decoupling of matter fields in four-dimensional gravity

We extend previous calculations of the non-local form factors of semiclassical gravity in $4D$ to include the Einstein-Hilbert term. The quantized fields are massive scalar, fermion and vector fields. The non-local form factor in this case can be seen as the sum of a power series of total derivatives, but it enables us to derive the beta function of Newton's constant and formally evaluate the decoupling law in the new sector, which turns out to be the standard quadratic one.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures; v2: improved the discussion of section

Immunohistochemical expression of EGFR in oral leukoplakia : association with clinicopathological features and cellular proliferation

Objectives: to investigate the immunoexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a sample of oral leukoplakias (OL) and to determine the receptor?s association with dysplasia, tobacco consumption, lesion site, and proliferation rate. Although EGFR should be overexpressed in some oral leukoplakias, the factors that may interfere with this expression and the influence of this receptor on epithelial proliferation have yet to be investigated. Study Design: Samples of oral leukoplakias (48) and of normal oral epithelium (10) were immunohistologically examined for expression of EGFR. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67, and p27 were also performed in leukoplakias. EGFR expression was associated with clinical and pathological features. Results: EGFR was positive in 62.5% of the leukoplakias and 50% of normal oral epithelium. The number of EGFR positive OL located in high-risk sites was significantly higher than EGFR positive OL located in low-risk sites. Most of the p27 negative leukoplakias were EGFR positive, and the p27 index in the parabasal layer was diminished in the presence of dysplasia. Positivity for EGFR was not associated with dysplasia, tobacco exposure, or Ki-67. Conclusion: EGFR is expressed in leukoplakia regardless of dysplasia, but EGFR positivity should be more frequent in lesions sited in areas of high cancer risk. The association between EGFR and p27 may represent an important mechanism in the control of cellular proliferation and malignant progression of oral epithelium and therefore warrants further investigation

O desenvolvimento de estratégias para evitar riscos, obter ouro e tornar a concorrência irrelevante - O caso da “Azul”.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo é comparar as estratégias do enfrentamento do risco de demanda utilizado pelas empresas americanas  “low cost/low fare” com o posicionamento e a estratégia da Azul, a mais recente  Companhia  do gênero criada no Brasil  e  co-ligada à Americana Jet Blue. A presente analise está voltada para o entendimento das condições que influenciam de maneira mais destacada  o planejamento estratégico  das empresas para a detecção de oportunidades de alto retorno, compatíveis com suas competências, em ambientes de risco  elevado.  Serão abordados  os conceitos do risco como chave para uma estratégia competitiva e o papel da incerteza na definição e implantação do planejamento estratégico. Na continuidade  serão apresentadas,  em resumo,  as principais  características das empresas de aviação “low cost/low fare” estadunidenses. Palavras chaves:  Empresas Aéreas,  low cost/low fare, risco, objetivos amplos, objetivos centrais

Shoulder recovery for head and neck cancer patients after unilateral neck dissection: a pilot exploratory study

An established side-effect of neck dissection (ND) for head and neck (HNC) tumour management includes shoulder dysfunction (SD), which can impact quality of life (QOL). Shoulder strength and range of movement (ROM) are key parameters to be monitored in SD. However, such evaluations are not routinely conducted in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate objectively the impact of ND on shoulder functions. Methods: This is a pilot exploratory study in a tertiary cancer centre. Five participants with unilateral ND and advanced HNC, completed the study. Outcome measures consisted of self-reported QOL questionnaires, C2–T1 dermatomes and shoulder ROM and strength testing. Data was collected at baseline, 1.5-months after surgery and 6-months after diagnosis (after adjuvant treatment completion). Results: Most outcome measures on the surgically affected side were negatively impacted post-operatively, with varied recovery seen at follow-up. Sensory loss was noted at C3–4 dermatome levels. Shoulder ROM and strength was reduced on the surficial side for all participants, with some recovery after six months except for two participants. Conclusion: Results of SD after ND are diverse and unique to each patient. Findings from this pilot study indicate that regular rehabilitation/exercise may facilitate recovery of shoulder function post HNC surgery. However, customised rehabilitation may yield better outcomes. Future studies with a larger sample are indicated to validate the findings of this study

Abuso de álcool após cirurgia bariátrica / Alcohol abuse after bariatric surgery

O consumo excessivo de álcool é prevalente após a cirurgia bariátrica. Objetiva-se investigar a associação entre o abuso de álcool e desfechos negativos após a cirurgia.MÉTODOS: Revisão sistemática com busca em Pubmed e Embase. Estratégia de busca: ?bariatric surgery AND (alcohol abuse OR alcoholism) AND (complication OR morbidity OR mortality OR effect)? resultando em 144 artigos. Após o uso dos critérios de exclusão e inclusão, e seleção pelo título/resumo, 23 textos foram lidos e 7 incluídos.RESULTADOS: Houve associação entre abuso de álcool e Tromboembolismo Venoso (IC 95% OR: 8,7) e Insuficiência Respiratória Aguda (IC 95% OR: 1,8). A incidência de estenose de saída não anatômica, estenose anatômica e bolsa ou dilatação esofágica foi maior CONCLUSÃO: O abuso de álcool representa grandes riscos para pacientes bariátricos