Cloud-based implementation of a SON radio resources planning system for mobile networks and integration in SaaS metric

In mobile network deployments of growing size, the optimum and fast planning of radio resources are a key task. Cloud services enable efficient and scalable implementation of procedures and algorithms. In this paper, a proof of concept implementation of a cloud-based network planning work pattern using Amazon Web Services (AWS) is presented, containing new and efficient radio resource planning algorithms for 3G, 4G and 5G systems. It extracts configuration and performance data from the network, enabling to accurately estimate cells coverage, identify neighboring cells and optimally plan scrambling codes (SCs) and physical cell identity (PCI) in 3G and 4G/5G networks, respectively. This implementation was integrated and is available in the commercial Metric Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) monitoring and planning tool. The cloud-based planning system is demonstrated in various canonical and realistic Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) scenarios, and compared to an algorithm previously used by Metric. For a small LTE realistic scenario consisting of 9 sites and 23 cells, it takes less than 0.6 seconds to perform the planning. For an UMTS realistic scenario with 12 484 unplanned cells, the planning is efficiently achieved, taking less than 8 seconds, and guaranteeing no collisions between first order neighboring cells. The proposed concept is proved, as this system, capable of automatically planning 3/4/5G realistic networks of multi-vendor equipment, makes Metric more attractive to the market.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A novel way to automatically plan cellular networks supported by linear programming and cloud computing

With the increasing number of mobile subscribers worldwide, there is a need for fast and reliable algorithms for planning/optimization of mobile networks, especially because, in order to maintain a network’s quality of service, an operator might need to deploy more equipment. This paper presents a quick and reliable way to automatically plan a set of frequencies in a cellular network, using both cloud technologies and linear programming. We evaluate our pattern in a realistic scenario of a Global System for Mobile communications protocol (GSM) network and compare the results to another already implemented commercial tool. Results show that even though network quality was similar, our algorithm was twelve times faster and used four times less memory. It was also able to frequency plan seventy cells simultaneously in less than three minutes. This mechanism was successfully integrated in the professional tool Metric, and is currently being used for cellular planning. Its extension for application to 3/4/5G networks is under study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cloud-Based Implementation of an Automatic Coverage Estimation Methodology for Self-Organising Network

UIDB/EEA/50008/2020One of the main concerns of telecommunications operators is related to network coverage. A weak coverage can lead to a performance decrease, not only in the user experience, when using the operators' services, such as multimedia streaming, but also in the overall Quality of Service. This paper presents a novel cloud-based framework of a semi-empirical propagation model that estimates the coverage in a precise way. The novelty of this model is that it is automatically calibrated by using drive test measurements, terrain morphology, buildings in the area, configurations of the network itself and key performance indicators, automatically extracted from the operator's network. Requirements and use cases are presented as motivations for this methodology. The results achieve an accuracy of about 5 dB, allowing operators to obtain accurate neighbour lists, optimise network planning and automate certain actions on the network by enabling the Self-Organising Network concept. The cloud implementation enables a fast and easy integration with other network management and monitoring tools, such as the Metric platform, optimising operators' resource usage recurring to elastic resources on-demand when needed. This implementation was integrated into the Metric platform, which is currently available to be used by several operators.publishersversionpublishe

Automatic coverage based neighbour estimation system: a cloud-based implementation

Over the years, mobile networks have grown exponentially due to rising demand. These networks mix different types of cells, which makes manual configuration difficult, costly and tedious. Furthermore, inefficiencies stemming from these problems can cause problems in Handover performance, since a mobile device may not always connect to the optimal cell upon switching from one to the other, potentially harming service quality and increasing Operational Costs (OPEX). Existing solutions, like Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR), while they are valuable in estimating the best neighbouring cells through the rate of successful Handovers, fail to take into account topological coverage factors and fictional cells, therefore inefficiencies lie hidden and it isn't suited to calculate relations between planned cells and active cells. In this article, a proposal of a cloud-based, on-demand automatic coverage based neighbour estimation system is proposed, which utilises topological signal coverage data from each cell provided by the network's operations support system, in order to mitigate the aforementioned issues and provide a reliable and convenient coverage analysis paradigm.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A CONVERSÃO RELIGIOSA E A REINTEGRAÇÃO SOCIAL SOB A ÓTICA DE UM EGRESSO DO SISTEMA PRISIONAL

O presente artigo analisa os efeitos de sentidos do discurso de um pastor de denominação cristã-pentecostal e egresso do sistema carcerário e que vincula fortemente sua reintegração social à experiência de conversão religiosa por ele vivenciada. A metodologia adotada é a Análise do Discurso de orientação francesa. Concluímos que a religião é um domínio privilegiado para se verificar o funcionamento da ideologia dado, entre outras coisas, o lugar atribuído à “Palavra de Deus”. Nesta perspectiva, o relato enunciado pelo sujeito não se encontra em um estado neutro, mas chega aos seus interlocutores carregado de sentidos

Uso do biochar e de bioestimulante na produção e qualidade de mudas de Sapindus saponaria L.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of biochar added to the substrate and the biostimulant in the production and quality of seedlings of Sapindus saponaria L. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Chapadão do Sul/MS state, with a randomized block design, with factorial scheme 5x2, with five proportions of biochar (0%, 7.5%, 15%, 22.5% and 30%), and presence or absence of biostimulant, with four replicates. The parameters were: total plant height (HT), colon diameter (DC), root volume (VR), root length (CR), root dry mass (MSR), part aerial dry mass (MSPA) total dry mass (MST), leaf area (AF), total height/colon diameter ratio (RHDC), total height/part aerial ratio (RHPA), part aerial/root ratio (RPAR) and Dickson quality index (IQD).The values of HT, DC, VR and CR decreased as the proportion of biochar added to the substrate increased, with higher values obtained when there was no addition of the compound and in the absence of the biostimulant, 19.22 cm and 4.99 mm, 6.36 mL and 14.1 cm, respectively. The dry mass (g) production, in the presence or absence of biostimulant, for the aerial part (MSPA), root (MSR) and total (MST), decreased as the proportion of biochar increased. For AF (cm²), the best result was 172.23 cm² with 0% biochar and without the vegetal stimulant. The lowest ratio between the height and the diameter of the colon (3,6) is obtained in the presence of the biostimulant, in the proportion of 8.3% of biochar in the substrate. The RHPA both in the presence and absence of the plant stimulant, the best results are presented when there is 0% biochar. In the absence of the biostimulant, the best result for MPAR was provided by the 21.7% biochar composition. The highest IQD (0.71) was obtained in the absence of the biostimulant and without addition of the biochar. The use of the biostimulant in the treatment of the seeds and the biochar in the composition of the substrate did not provide an increase in the growth characteristics of Sapindus saponaria. For the RHDC quality index, the combination of the two factors, maintained a balance in the biomass distribution in the seedlings.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do biochar adicionado ao substrato e de bioestimulante na produção e qualidade de mudas de Sapindus saponaria L. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, em Chapadão do Sul - MS, com delineamento em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5x2, com cinco proporções de biochar (0%, 7,5%, 15%, 22,5% e 30%), e presença ou ausência de bioestimulante, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados a altura total da muda (HT), diâmetro do colo (DC), volume de raiz (VR), comprimento de raiz (CR), massa seca da raiz (MSR), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa seca total (MST), área foliar (AF), relação altura total/diâmetro do colo (RHDC), relação altura total/parte aérea (RHPA), relação parte aérea/raiz (RPAR) e índice de qualidade de Dickson (IQD). Os valores de HT, DC, VR e CR decresceram à medida que se aumentou a proporção do biochar adicionado ao substrato, com maiores valores obtidos quando não houve a adição do composto e na ausência do bioestimulante, 19,22 cm e 4,99 mm, 6,36 mL e 14,1 cm, respectivamente. A produção de massa seca (g), na presença ou ausência de bioestimulante, tanto para parte aérea (MSPA), raiz (MSR) e total (MST), também reduziram à medida que se aumentou a proporção de biochar. Para AF, o maior valor proporcionado foi de 172,23 cm² sem biochar e sem o estimulante vegetal. A menor relação entre a altura e o diâmetro do colo (3,6) é obtida na presença do bioestimulante, na proporção de 8,3% de biochar no substrato. Para a RHPA, tanto na presença quanto na ausência do estimulante vegetal, os melhores resultados ocorrem sem uso do biochar. Na ausência do bioestimulante, o melhor resultado para MPAR foi proporcionado pela composição de 21,7% de biochar. O maior IQD (0,71) foi obtido na ausência do bioestimulante e sem adição do biochar. O uso do bioestimulante no tratamento das sementes e do biochar na composição do substrato não proporcionou incremento nas características de crescimento de Sapindus saponaria. Para o índice de qualidade RHDC, a combinação dos dois fatores manteve um equilíbrio na distribuição de biomassa nas mudas

Qualidades psicométricas do Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) para adolescentes brasileiros do sexo masculino

This research aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) for maleBrazilian adolescents. The sample consisted of 357 young people, aged between 10 and 19 years. The results showed that 32.8% of the data variance was explained by a single factor and the instrument was able to differentiate their scores as a function of nutritional status (p<0.05), and correlate with measures of body dissatisfaction (rho=0.50). Confirmed its internal consistency (α>0.88), no difference between scores (test-retest) (p<0.68) and introducing the coefficient of intra-class correlation of 0.93. It was concluded that the EAT-26 demonstrated its psychometric qualities for the group studied.A pesquisa objetivou avaliar as qualidades psicométricas do Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) para adolescentes brasileiros do sexo masculino. A amostra foi composta por 357 jovens, com idade entre 10 e 19 anos. Os resultados evidenciaram que 32,8% variância dos dados foram explicados por um único fator e o instrumento foi capaz de diferenciar seus escores em função do estado nutricional (p<0,05), além de correlacionar-se com as medidas de insatisfação corporal (rho=0,50). Confrmou sua consistência interna (α>0,88), não registrando diferença entre os escores (teste-reteste) (p<0,68) e apresentando o coefciente de correlação intra-classe de 0,93. Concluiu-se que o EAT-26 comprovou suas qualidades psicométricas para o grupo estudado

Psychometric qualities of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) for brazilian male adolescents

This research aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) for male Brazilian adolescents. The sample consisted of 357 young people, aged between 10 and 19 years. The results showed that 32.8% of the data variance was explained by a single factor and the instrument was able to differentiate their scores as a function of nutritional status (p0.88), no difference between scores (test-retest) (p0,88), não registrando diferença entre os escores (teste-reteste) (p<0,68) e apresentando o coeficiente de correlação intra-classe de 0,93. Concluiu-se que o EAT-26 comprovou suas qualidades psicométricas para o grupo estudado

Impactos toxicológicos de herbicidas recomendados para a cultura do milho em ninfas do predador Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

A presença de plantas daninhas na cultura do milho (Zea mays L.) pode ocasionar altas perdas na produção. O controle químico das plantas daninhas é o mais utilizado nesta cultura, mas pode afetar negativamente os inimigos naturais presentes nas lavouras. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade de herbicidas registrados para a cultura do milho a ninfas do predador Podisus nigrispinus Dallas, 1851 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Avaliou-se o efeito de atrazine, nicosulfuron, mesotrione, paraquat e o controle à base de água destilada, sobre três estádios imaturos do inseto (terceiro, quarto e quinto), em doses equivalentes à metade, ao dobro, a quatro e dez vezes à recomendada para a cultura do milho. Os herbicidas foram aplicados sobre potes plásticos de 500 mL contendo, cinco ninfas de cada estádio do inseto, constituindo a unidade amostral, com seis repetições. Após 96 horas foi realizada a contagem dos sobreviventes. Para todos os estádios de P. nigrispinus o aumento das doses dos herbicidas ocasionou decréscimo na taxa de sobrevivência. Esta foi menor para os insetos expostos ao atrazine e paraquat. O mesotrione foi o menos tóxico e o nicosulfuron apresentou toxicidade mediana. Conclui-se que as ninfas do terceiro ao quinto estádio do inimigo natural P. nigrispinus são mais suscetíveis aos herbicidas atrazine e paraquat. Além disso, mesotrione e nicosulfuron podem ser utilizados na cultura do milho, visando preservar a população deste predador.Weeds presence in corn crop (Zea mays L.) may cause high losses in production. Chemical control of these plants is the most used, but may adversely affect natural enemies present in crops. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate herbicides toxicity s registered for corn crop to nymphs of Podisus nigrispinus Dallas, 1851 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) predator. It was evaluated the effect of atrazine, nicosulfuron, mesotrione, paraquat and its control based on distilled water over three immature stages of insects (third, fourth and fifth) in doses equivalent to half, to twice, four and ten times the recommended one for corn crop. Herbicides were applied over plastic pots of 500 mL each, containing five nymphs in each stage of the insect, constituting the experimental plot, with six replications. After 96 hours was performed the counting of survivors individuals. For all stages of P. nigrispinus increasing herbicides doses caused a decrease in survival rate. This one was inferior for insects exposed to atrazine and paraquat herbicides. Mesotrione herbicide was the least toxic and nicosulfuron showed median toxicity. It was concluded that nymphs from third to fifth stage of P. nigrispinus natural enemy are more susceptible to atrazine and paraquat herbicides. Moreover, mesotrione and nicosulfuron may be used for controlling weeds in corn crop when the objective is to preserve the population of this predator