Desenvolvimento de índices de qualidade de serviço em sistemas de abastecimento de água

Dissertação mestrado em Engenharia MunicipalOs sistemas de abastecimento de água fornecem um bem público essencial à vida. Esse bem não pode ser comercializado como outro “recurso” qualquer. Nas últimas décadas, as entidades públicas asseguravam este serviço, em regime de monopólio, mas progressivamente houve uma abertura deste sector às empresas privadas, através da exploração ou concessão e de parcerias público-privadas, obrigando à criação, no Mundo, de diversos sistemas regulatórios para a gestão dos sistemas de abastecimento de água. A abertura deste mercado originou diversos problemas relativos à falta de informação entre o fornecedor e o utilizador desses serviços. Essas dificuldades, aliadas ao facto da concorrência ser quase inexistente no sector, por não ser possível optar entre dois operadores, reforçaram a necessidade de uma regulação efectiva deste monopólio natural das entidades gestoras de infra-estruturas de saneamento ambiental (águas e resíduos), surgindo várias propostas de metodologias para avaliar o desempenho dos sistemas de abastecimento de água e permitindo tornar pública a informação interna das respectivas entidades gestoras criando assim um processo de benchmarking. Em Portugal, o Instituto Regulador de Águas e Resíduos (IRAR) é uma entidade independente que tem por função, entre outras, a de avaliar o desempenho das entidades gestoras de sistemas de abastecimento de água, drenagem e tratamento de águas resíduais e recolha, valorização de resíduos sólidos urbanos. Para esse efeito, institui um sistema de indicadores de desempenho a aplicar a cada regulado composto por três grupos de indicadores Este sistema baseado no conjunto dos indicadores da International Water Association (IWA) permite avaliar de forma qualitativa o desempenho das várias entidades gestoras em três categorias: “mediano”, “insatisfatório” ou “bom”. Esta metodologia não permite atribuir um valor quantitativo, o que restringe o estabelecimento de um ranking entre entidades, dificultando um processo efectivo de benchmarking. Face a essa limitação, o presente trabalho pretende contribuir com uma alteração e complemento da métodologia de avaliação do IRAR, através do desenvolvimento duma metodologia, baseada na aplicação de técnicas de análise qualitativas que permitem uma classificação quantitativa traduzida por índices de qualidade de serviço. Os indicadores de desempenho adoptados pelo IRAR representam critérios aos quais se podem aplicar pesos, cuja combinação permite atribuir uma pontuação à entidade em avaliação, tanto a nível global como sectorial. O processo de avaliação multicritério é há muito utilizados no Planeamento Territorial como forma de estabelecimento de regras de decisão através da combinação ponderada de critérios e da sua progressiva agregação. Com esta nova aplicação da análise multicritério no sector do abastecimento de água, pretende-se criar índices de qualidade (global ou secorial) para cada entidade gestora de sistemas de abastecimento de água em alta que, em Portugal, são reguladas pelo IRAR, partindo dos dados publicados por este instituto desde 2004.The water supply systems provide a public need which is essential to life. This need cannot be commercialized like any other natural resource. In the last decade it was only public services that assured this service in a monopoly regime, but progressively there was an opening to private sector, thru exploitation and public/private partnership condescension forcing the creation, in the whole world, of several regulatory systems for management of water supply systems. This market opening brought several problems regarding lack of information between user and supplier. These difficulties and the fact that there is no competition in the water supply industry, (it is not possible to choose between two suppliers), have strengthened the need for a more effective regulation on this natural monopoly from entities that manage the infrastructure of environmental sanitation (water and residue) and have led to various proposals of methodologies to evaluate the performance of water supply systems and therefore bringing to public the internal information of the managing entity this way creating a benchmarking process. In Portugal, the Institute for Water and Residue Regulation (IRAR) which is an independent entity who’s task, among others, is to evaluate the performance of managing water supply, drainage and residue water treatment and collecting, valorization of urban solid residue. For this it imposes a system of performance indicators to be applied to each regulated entity, composed by three indicator groups. This system based on the International Water Association (IWA) indicators allows qualitative performance evaluation of management entities, splitting them in three categories: “medium”, “unsatisfactory” or “good”. This methodology doesn’t assign a quantitative value, which restrains the establishment of ranking between entities which tends to hinder an effective ranking process. Due to this limitation, this work aims to contribute with a complement and alternate to IRAR’s evaluation methodology thru the development of a methodology based on the application of qualitative analysis techniques which allows a qualitative classification translated by service quality indices. The performance indicators adopted by IRAR represent criteria to which weights can be applied, which combination allows assigning a score to the entity in evaluation whether global or sectorial level. The process of multicriteria evaluation, many times used in territorial planning as a way of establishing rules for decision making, thru balanced combination of criteria and their progressive aggregation. With this new application of multicriteria analysis to the water supply sector it is indented to create quality indices (global or sectorial) for each water supply which in Portugal are regulated by IRAR, using data published by this institute since 2004

Effect of criteria weighting methods on the ranking of water suppliers’ performance

Water supply systems are a structural part of public utilities and as such are vital to the general well- being, public health, safe drinking water use, economic activities and environment protection. Being the water “market” a natural monopoly, regulation must, mainly, protect the interests of the user, based on a benchmarking strategy that promotes the quality of the water supply service and assuring the balance of the ruling tariffs. Due to the complexity of service quality assessment, the use of performance indicators is essential as a means to provide a measure the utility’s effectiveness and efficiency. In Portugal, this task is conducted by an independent public entity, which has defined a specific set of performance indicators. Currently, the adopted system does not provide a quantitative and integrated evaluation leading to an overall ranking of utilities’ performance and sustainability. This work aims to contribute to the improvement of the Portuguese assessment system, through the development of a complementary methodology that defines a global index of service quality (GISEQ) for a given water supply utility, based on a new application of multicriteria analysis. The GISEQ value is calculated as a combination of the normalized scores of each performance indicator, previously aggregated in three main groups: protection of user interests, sustainability of the utility and environmental sustainability. In this proposed methodology, each one of the selected performance indicators represents a criterion to be considered and judiciously weighted. An innovative approach to weights definition was performed as well as a sensitivity analysis of different weighting methods on water supply utilities’ ranking positions

A global service quality index to evaluate the performance and sustainability in water supply utilities

Water supply systems are a structural part of public utilities and as such are vital to the general wellbeing, public health, safe drinking water use, economic activities and environment protection. The principal objective of regulation is to protect the interests of users by fostering quality in the services provided by utilities and ensuring a fair balance in the charges levied, guaranteeing the essentiality, equity, indispensability, feasibility and cost-effectiveness principles. The use of performance indicators is widely recommended as a measure of the utility’s effectiveness and efficiency. In Portugal, the regulation of service quality is conducted by ERSAR (Portuguese Authority for the Regulation of Water and Waste), which has decided to define its own set of performance indicators that is less comprehensive than those adopted by the IWA (International Water Association). Currently, the adopted system does not provide a quantitative and integrated evaluation leading to an overall ranking of utilities’ performance and sustainability. The aim of this paper is to contribute for the improvement of the Portuguese performance assessment system, through the development and application of a complementary methodology to define a global index of service quality (GISEQ) for a given water supplier in order to achieve accurate performance rates. This methodology allows a truly quantitative evaluation in which each performance indicator represents a criterion to be considered and judiciously weighted, based on the results of an on-line questionnaire proposed to a selected set of academic and professional experts. The GISEQ values are calculated as a weighted linear combination of the normalised scores of each performance indicator, which is one of the most common aggregation procedures available in the context of multicriteria evaluation. The criteria normalisation process essentially based on fuzzy sets defined for each indicator, considering the established ERSAR or legislation standards. An innovative approach to weights definition was also performed as well as a sensitivity analysis of GISEQ values to different weighting methods.(undefined

Novel ultraviolet absorbers derived from cashew nut shell liquid: spectrophotometric, in silico and in vitro assays

The cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) constituents were isolated by our group leading to four mixtures and seventeen pure compounds, which had chromophoric groups similar to organic ultraviolet (UV) absorbers. In addition, C15 and C8 CNSL-derivatives molecules were rationally planned as UV absorbers. Mixtures and isolated CNSL compounds were demonstrated to be non-phototoxic when evaluated in a phototoxicity assay using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Considering the absorption values on the UV range, 6 compounds showed appropriate SPF values regarding the spectrophotometric test. Additionally, in silico and in vitro evaluations were performed, showing non-oral bioavailability, as well as non-mutagenic, non-genotoxic and non-phototoxic properties for the tested compounds. These results contribute favorably to the aimed use of the compounds under analysis as novel organic UV absorbers that have as precursor the phenolic lipid component of CNSL, a waste product obtained as the by-product of cashew nut food processing

AGGREGATIBACTER (ACTINOBACILLUS) ACTINOMYCETEMCOMITANS E A DOENÇA PERIODONTAL: UMA REVISÃO DA LITERATURA

A  doença  periodontal  é  uma  doença  inflamatória  de  origem  multifatorial. Papel relevante vem sendo atribuído aos microrganismos na etiologia desta doença. O Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans é um dos mais estudados patógenos associados à doença periodontal. O presente trabalho visa revisar a literatura acerca dos fatores de virulência deste patógeno, que são capazes de impedir a resposta imune do hospedeiro, potencializando assim a destruição dos tecidos periodontais. De acordo com a literatura revisada pode-se apre- ender que o A. actinomycetemcomitans é um microrganismo Gram-negativo, que apresenta diversos fatores de virulência como as leucotoxinas, fímbrias, lipopolissacarídeos,  adesinas,  vesículas  de  membrana  extracelular,  fatores imunossupressores e perturbadores das funções neutrofílicas, da inibição do crescimento das células epiteliais e fibroblásticas, além da ativação das células B policlonais entre outros. Assim, justifica-se que A. actinomycetemcomitans é um importante patógeno periodontal que está associado principalmente com a periodontite agressiva localizada e a sua ocorrência e virulência na saúde ou na doença periodontal são população e sorotipo dependentes. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo revisar a literatura acerca deste patógeno

Fungal flora of the digestive tract of Rhodnius prolixus, Rhodnius neglectus, Diptelanogaster maximus and Panstrongylus megistus, vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas, 1909 Flora fúngica do trato digestivo de Rhodnius prolixus, Rhodnius neglectus, Diptelanogaster maximus e Panstrongylus megistus vetores de Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas 1909

This paper reports a study on the mycobiota in the digestive tract of four important species of triatomines: Rhodnius prolixus, R. neglectus, Diptelanogaster maximus and Panstrongylus megistus. The digestive tracts of 90 adults and 425 nymphs of these four triatomine species were studied and 365 fungal strains were isolated. The genera with the greatest number of species were Aspergillus, Penicillium (14 species in each genus), Acremonium and Cladosporium (three species in each genus), and the most frequent species, in decreasing order, were Aspergillus awamori, Penicillium corylophilum, Cladosporium herbarum and Aspergillus niger. It was concluded that, among the isolated fungi, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium corylophilum might be part of the natural flora of the digestive tract of triatomines.<br>Um estudo da micobiota do trato digestivo de quatro importantes espécies de triatomíneos, Rhodnius prolixus, R. neglectus, Diptelanogaster maximus e Panstrongylus megistus, foi realizado. Foram examinados os tratos digestivos de 90 adultos e 425 ninfas destas espécies de triatomíneos e 365 cepas fúngicas foram isoladas. Os gêneros com o maior número de espécies encontradas foram Aspergillus, Penicillium (14 espécies cada), Acremonium e Cladosporium (3 espécies cada) e as espécies mais freqüentes, em ordem decrescente, foram Aspergillus awamori, Penicillium corylophilum, Cladosporium herbarum e Aspergillus niger. Dentre os fungos isolados, concluímos que Aspergillus niger e Penicillium corylophilum possam fazer parte da flora natural do trato digestivo destes triatomíneos

A novel report on the emerging and zoonotic neurotropic fungus Trichosporon japonicum in the brain tissue of the endangered Brazilian guitarfish (Pseudobatos horkelii) off the southeastern coast of Brazil

Abstract Yeast infections have gained significant attention in the field of marine biology in recent years. Among the broad diversity of marine organisms affected by these infections, elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) have emerged as highly susceptible, due to climate change effects, such as increasing water temperatures and pollution, which can alter the composition and abundance of fungal communities. Additionally, injuries, or compromised immune systems resulting from pollution or disease may increase the likelihood of fungal infections in elasmobranchs. Studies are, however, still lacking for this taxonomic group. In this context, this study aimed to screen yeast species in cell cultures obtained from the brain of artisanally captured Pseudobatos horkelii, a cartilaginous fish that, although endangered, is highly captured and consumed worldwide. Fungi were isolated during an attempt to establish primary cultures of elasmobranch neural cells. Culture flasks were swabbed and investigated using morphological, phenotypic, and molecular techniques. Two isolates of the emerging opportunistic pathogen Trichosporon japonicum were identified, with high scores (1.80 and 1.85, respectively) by the MALDI-ToF technique. This is the first report of the basidiomycetous yeast T. japonicum in Pseudobatos horkelii in Brazil. This finding highlights the need for further research to determine the potential impact on elasmobranch health, ecology, as well as on commercial fisheries

Novel ultraviolet absorbers derived from cashew nut shell liquid: spectrophotometric, in silico and in vitro assays

The cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) constituents were isolated by our group leading to four mixtures and seventeen pure compounds, which had chromophoric groups similar to organic ultraviolet (UV) absorbers. In addition, C15 and C8 CNSL-derivatives molecules were rationally planned as UV absorbers. Mixtures and isolated CNSL compounds were demonstrated to be non-phototoxic when evaluated in a phototoxicity assay using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Considering the absorption values on the UV range, 6 compounds showed appropriate SPF values regarding the spectrophotometric test. Additionally, in silico and in vitro evaluations were performed, showing non-oral bioavailability, as well as non-mutagenic, non-genotoxic and non-phototoxic properties for the tested compounds. These results contribute favorably to the aimed use of the compounds under analysis as novel organic UV absorbers that have as precursor the phenolic lipid component of CNSL, a waste product obtained as the by-product of cashew nut food processing