Open source environment to define constraints in route planning for GIS-T

Route planning for transportation systems is strongly related to shortest path algorithms, an optimization problem extensively studied in the literature. To find the shortest path in a network one usually assigns weights to each branch to represent the difficulty of taking such branch. The weights construct a linear preference function ordering the variety of alternatives from the most to the least attractive.Postprint (published version

Structural reliability of steel portal frames.

O emprego de m?todos para an?lise de confiabilidade estrutural permite a avalia??o da probabilidade de viola??o de estados limites relevantes ao projeto estrutural. Este artigo apresenta procedimento num?rico preciso e eficiente para avalia??o da confiabilidade de p?rticos planos de a?o via an?lise estrutural avan?ada em elementos finitos, considerando os efeitos da n?o linearidade geom?trica e da flexibilidade das liga??es. O m?todo anal?tico FORM (First Order Reliability Method) foi empregado na avalia??o da probabilidade de falha de fun??es de desempenho formuladas para estados limites ?ltimos de resist?ncia e estados limites de servi?o. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que os ?ndices de confiabilidade dos exemplos de p?rticos planos de a?o analisados s?o significativamente afetados pela presen?a das liga??es semirr?gidas e pelos efeitos da n?o linearidade geom?trica.The reliability methods allows the evaluation of the limit states violation probability, which are relevant to the structural design. This paper presents an accurate and efficient numerical procedure for evaluating the reliability of steel frames by advanced finite element structural analysis, considering the effects of geometric nonlinearity and semi?rigid connections. The FORM method was used to estimate the probability of failure of performance functions formulated in terms of the ultimate strength and serviceability limit states. The results indicate that the frame reliability is strongly affected by semi?rigid connections and the effects of geometric nonlinearity

Numerical analysis of RC plane structures : a concentrated nonlinear effect approach.

The present work aims to study the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete structures via Refined Plastic Hinge Method (RPHM). Pseudo-springs are used at the finite element ends, where the gradual loss of stiffness is determined by the combination of the normal force and bending moment (NM) in the cross section. The limiting of the uncracked, elastic and plastic regimes is done in the NM diagram. The concrete cracking is explicitly simulated with two approaches to calculate the effective moment of inertia of the cross section. The displacement-based formulation is referenced to the co-rotational system and coupled with continuation strategies to allow to overcome the possible critical points in the equilibrium paths. For validation of the numerical simulations, the results found with the proposed formulation are confronted with experimental and numerical data present in literature

Identifying Variability in Process Performance Indicators

The performance perspective of business processes is concerned with the definition of performance requirements usually specified as a set of Process Performance Indicators (PPIs). Like other business process perspectives such as control-flow or data, there are cases in which PPIs are subject to variability. However, although the modelling of business process variability (BPV) has evolved significantly, there are very few contributions addressing the variability in the performance perspective of business processes. Modelling PPI variants with tools and techniques non-suitable for variability may generate redundant models, thus making it difficult its maintenance and future adaptations, also increasing possibility of errors in its managing. In this paper we present different cases of PPI variability detected as result of the analysis of several processes where BPV is present. Based on an existent metamodel used for defining PPIs over BPs, we propose its formal extension that allows the definition of PPI variability according to the cases identified.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2015-70560-RJunta de Andalucía P12-TIC-1867Junta de Andalucía P10-TIC-590

Impacto do programa bolsa família sobre a frequência escolar: o caso da agricultura familiar no Nordeste do Brasil.

O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o impacto do programa de transferência de renda condicionada Bolsa Família sobre a frequência escolar de crianças e adolescentes de cinco a 14 anos na agricultura familiar dos estados de Pernambuco, Ceará, Sergipe e Paraíba. Nessa investigação, o trabalho faz uso de dados primários (pesquisa de campo) e dados secundários (PNAD, 2005) para obter estimativas de propensity score. Os resultados indicam que, de forma geral, o programa eleva a frequência escolar das referidas crianças no intervalo de 5,4 a 5,9 pontos percentuais. Contudo, há importantes diferenças quando se considera meninas e meninos separadamente, sendo o programa eficaz no primeiro caso e ineficaz no segundo. Ou seja, apesar da avaliação positiva para as meninas, não parece haver efeito do programa sobre a frequência escolar dos meninos, o que pode estar associado a diferenças de gênero nos custos de oportunidades do investimento em capital humano no meio rural

Dietary factors associated with metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is defined as the association of numerous factors that increase cardiovascular risk and diet is one of the main factors related to increase the MS in the population. This study aimed to evaluate the association of diet on the presence of MS in an adult population sample.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>305 adults were clinically screened to participate in a lifestyle modification program. Anthropometric assessments included waist circumference (WC), body fat and calculated BMI (kg/m²) and muscle-mass index (MMI kg/m²). Dietary intake was estimated by 24 h dietary recall. Fasting blood was used for biochemical analysis. MS was diagnosed using NCEP-ATPIII (2001) criteria with adaptation for glucose (≥ 100 mg/dL). Logistic regression (Odds ratio) was performed in order to determine the odds ratio for developing MS according to dietary intake.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An adequate intake of fruits, OR = 0.52 (CI:0.28-0.98), and an intake of more than 8 different items in the diet (variety), OR = 0.31 (CI:0.12-0.79) showed to be a protective factor against a diagnosis of MS. Saturated fat intake greater than 10% of total caloric value represented a risk for MS diagnosis, OR = 2.0 (1.04-3.84).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Regarding the dietary aspect, a risk factor for MS was higher intake of saturated fat, and protective factors were high diet variety and adequate fruit intake.</p

Genome of Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease, reveals unique adaptations to hematophagy and parasite infection

Rhodnius prolixus not only has served as a model organism for the study of insect physiology, but also is a major vector of Chagas disease, an illness that affects approximately seven million people worldwide. We sequenced the genome of R. prolixus, generated assembled sequences covering 95% of the genome ( approximately 702 Mb), including 15,456 putative protein-coding genes, and completed comprehensive genomic analyses of this obligate blood-feeding insect. Although immune-deficiency (IMD)-mediated immune responses were observed, R. prolixus putatively lacks key components of the IMD pathway, suggesting a reorganization of the canonical immune signaling network. Although both Toll and IMD effectors controlled intestinal microbiota, neither affected Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, implying the existence of evasion or tolerance mechanisms. R. prolixus has experienced an extensive loss of selenoprotein genes, with its repertoire reduced to only two proteins, one of which is a selenocysteine-based glutathione peroxidase, the first found in insects. The genome contained actively transcribed, horizontally transferred genes from Wolbachia sp., which showed evidence of codon use evolution toward the insect use pattern. Comparative protein analyses revealed many lineage-specific expansions and putative gene absences in R. prolixus, including tandem expansions of genes related to chemoreception, feeding, and digestion that possibly contributed to the evolution of a blood-feeding lifestyle. The genome assembly and these associated analyses provide critical information on the physiology and evolution of this important vector species and should be instrumental for the development of innovative disease control methods