Spectra: Robust Estimation of Distribution Functions in Networks

Distributed aggregation allows the derivation of a given global aggregate property from many individual local values in nodes of an interconnected network system. Simple aggregates such as minima/maxima, counts, sums and averages have been thoroughly studied in the past and are important tools for distributed algorithms and network coordination. Nonetheless, this kind of aggregates may not be comprehensive enough to characterize biased data distributions or when in presence of outliers, making the case for richer estimates of the values on the network. This work presents Spectra, a distributed algorithm for the estimation of distribution functions over large scale networks. The estimate is available at all nodes and the technique depicts important properties, namely: robust when exposed to high levels of message loss, fast convergence speed and fine precision in the estimate. It can also dynamically cope with changes of the sampled local property, not requiring algorithm restarts, and is highly resilient to node churn. The proposed approach is experimentally evaluated and contrasted to a competing state of the art distribution aggregation technique.Comment: Full version of the paper published at 12th IFIP International Conference on Distributed Applications and Interoperable Systems (DAIS), Stockholm (Sweden), June 201

Regional impacts of trade liberalization strategies in Brazil

There is a great interest in free trade areas (FTA) in Brazil, predominantly in the context of a proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). In addition, a free trade area between MERCOSUR (the customs union involving Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay) and the European Union has also been considered. In this paper, an interregional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is used to analyze the long-run regional effects of alternative trade liberalization strategies on Brazil. The model provides a description of the Brazilian inter-regional economic system, divided into two regions - Sao Paulo and Other Regions in Brazil. One of its innovations is a full specification of foreign trade in both regions, capturing the complete structure of trade flows and import tariffs, linking the two Brazilian regions and a set of foreign markets. In this way, adequate simulations of tariff liberalization can be implemented for several possibilities of trade agreements.computable general equilibrium; regional models; trade policy; Brazil

Regional Impacts of Trade Liberalization Strategies in Brazil

There is a great interest in free trade areas (FTA) in Brazil, predominantly in the context of a proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). In addition, a free trade area between MERCOSUR (the customs union involving Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay) and the European Union has also been considered. In this paper, an interregional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is used to analyze the long-run regional effects of alternative trade liberalization strategies on Brazil. The model provides a description of the Brazilian inter-regional economic system, divided into two regions - Sao Paulo and Other Regions in Brazil. One of its innovations is a full specification of foreign trade in both regions, capturing the complete structure of trade flows and import tariffs, linking the two Brazilian regions and a set of foreign markets. In this way, adequate simulations of tariff liberalization can be implemented for several possibilities of trade agreements.

Lista dos Anelídeos (Annelida)

A diversidade das minhocas (Annelida) é aqui compilada, em adição aos grupos de animais terrestres listados em detalhe noutros capítulos deste livro (Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata). Com base na recente lista de espécies animais terrestres da Europa, projecto “Fauna Europaea” (http:// www.faunaeur.org), listam-se 21 espécies de anelí deos terrestres. É apresentada a distribuição das espécies ou subespécies nas nove ilhas dos Açores, usando-se a seguinte simbologia: COR – Corvo; FLO – Flores; FAI – Faial; PIC – Pico; GRA – Graciosa; SJG – São Jorge; TER – Terceira; SMG – São Miguel; SMR – Santa Maria. Quando não se conhece a distribuição de uma espécie por ilha, indica-se apenas a sua presença nos Açores (AZ). Na maior parte dos casos tal deve-se a registos muito antigos ou então à indicação da ocorrência das espécies no arquipélago contida na “Fauna Europaea”, mas sem indicação da literatura de suporte.ABSTRACT: In addition to the terrestrial animal Phyla already listed in other chapters of this book (Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata), here we compiled a preliminary species list of Annelida. Based on the recent list of European terrestrial species, project “Fauna Europaea” (http://www.faunaeur.org), 21 species of Annelida are listed. For the distribution of all species and subspecies in the nine Azorean islands we use the following abbreviations: COR – Corvo; FLO – Flores; FAI – Faial; PIC – Pico; GRA – Graciosa; SJG – São Jorge; TER – Terceira; SMG – São Miguel; SMR – Santa Maria. When no information concerning island occurrence was available only archipelago occurrence is given (AZ). In most cases it corresponds to old records, as well as to references to the Azores as found in “Fauna Europaea” with no indication to any literature supporting these findings

Estudo preliminar dos coleópteros (Insecta, Coleoptera) da Ilha das Flores.

IV Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia – Flores 1989.An account is given of the species of Coleoptera (Insecta, Coleoptera) collected during the "Flores 89 Scientific Expedition", in July 1989. A preliminary list of the species collected is given. Six species are reported as new for Flores and one for Corvo. A checklist of Coleoptera from Flores and Corvo is also given. We also point out the occurrence of each species on the other Azorean island and Macaronesian archipelagos, their zoogeographic distribution and the contributions of several authors over the last seven years

Lista preliminar dos Nematoda, Annelida e Chordata terrestres dos Açores

Apresenta-se uma lista preliminar dos Filos Nematoda, Annelida e Chordata terrestres dos Açores. Com base na recente lista de espécies animais terrestres da Europa, projecto “Fauna Europaea” (http://www.faunaeur.org), listam-se 80 espécies de nemátodos e 21 espécies de anelídeos terrestres. As cerca de 49 espécies de vertebrados (Chordata) listados correspondem às espécies que se reproduzem nos Açores.ABSTRACT: A preliminary list of the Phyla Nematoda, Annelida and Chordata was compiled. Based on the recent list of European terrestrial species, project “Fauna Europaea” (http://www.faunaeur.org), 80 species of Nematoda and 21 species of Annelida are listed. The listed 49 species of vertebrates (Chordata) are the species known to breed in the Azores