ABSTRACT Composition of probabilistic preferences is applied here together with life cycle assessment in the evaluation of sewage sludge treatment scenarios. The computations are based on the transformation of preferences for the alternatives elicited applying each criterion into probabilities of being the best. Different forms of probabilistic composition are applied and the possibility of interaction between factors is considered. The results are compared to results previously obtained with different forms of composition modeling the interaction or assuming linearity. Eight scenarios combining different processing techniques and leading to distinct end-uses are compared. These scenarios are ranked combining probabilities of preference according to five environmental impact factors: water use, energy consumption, carbon footprint, human toxicity potential and terrestrial ecotoxicity potential. In the large spectrum of views that the probabilistic approach provides, evidence is found favoring a system that includes recovery of energy to be used in a dryer and in a cement kiln.

ABSTRACT In the development of new designs for systems or improvement of existing ones, the search for effective methods of reliability allocation is fundamental to achieve the minimum requirements. The different allocation methods can involve the consideration of many criteria. Among these criteria, some are quantitative, and others are qualitative, but in both cases, there will be uncertainties associated with the metrics. This article presents an approach based on the probabilistic composition of preferences to allocate the reliability of subsystems considering the uncertainties associated with each criterion considered. The results obtained with application to a case described in the literature demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach to deal with this class of problems.

ABSTRACT This study associates graph theory and a multi-criteria decision aid technique, presenting a different process for doing the investigation of criminal networks. In the criminal subject, privacy concerns limit identification. For this reason, the database composed of 110 actors, involving criminals and peripheral characters to the network, was identified by numbers, without names and penalties. The discrimination of critical actors in criminal networks can help law enforcement officers to conduct a more detailed investigation for their disruption. Communication between drug traffickers was transformed into different centrality indices for each actor in their social network. Centralities and actors compose a decision matrix, analyzed by the Composition of Probabilistic Preferences to identify the most relevant actors in the criminal network. Results indicated that the five actors highlighted in the real investigation have a clear distinction of importance in the network, which in a way have been ratified.

RESUMO Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo auxiliar gestores e comissões técnicas na escolha de goleiros do futebol profissional. Foi estudada uma amostra de 64 goleiros que atuam na Argentina e no Brasil. Foram analisados seus desempenhos em jogos de duas temporadas, considerando três critérios: gols sofridos por minutos jogados, percentual de gols evitados e percentual de partidas sem sofrer gols. A Composição Probabilística de Preferências foi o método escolhido para a modelagem, por considerar a variabilidade aleatória dos dados do problema e do futebol, considerado um dos esportes mais imprevisíveis. A aplicação comparou a escolha baseada na análise dos dados com as últimas convocações de goleiros para as seleções desses países. Os goleiros selecionados corresponderam aos de melhor desempenho individual, confirmando o modelo.

ABSTRACT This research aims to assist managers and technical commissions to choose professional soccer goalkeepers. A sample of 64 goalkeepers playing in Argentina and Brazil was studied. Their performance in the matches of two seasons were analyzed considering three criteria: goals against per minute played, percentage of goals and percentage of matches without conceded goals. The Composition of Probabilistic Preferences (CPP) was the method chosen for modeling, considering the random variability in the problem data and in football, considered one of the most unpredictable sports. CPP allowed to compare the choice based on the data analysis to the latest goalkeeper call-ups for these countries’ national teams. The selected goalkeepers corresponded to those presenting the best individual performance, which confirms the model.

RESUMEN Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo ayudar a gerentes y comisiones técnicas para elegir a los porteros de fútbol profesional. Una muestra de 64 porteros de Argentina y Brasil fue estudiada. Las actuaciones en los partidos de dos temporadas fueran analizadas, considerando tres criterios: goles concedidos por minutos jugados, porcentaje de goles evitados y porcentaje de partidos en los que al portero no le encajaron goles. La Composición Probabilística de Preferencias fue el método elegido, considerando la variabilidad aleatoria de los datos del problema y del fútbol, considerado uno de los deportes más impredecibles. La aplicación comparó la muestra con las últimas convocatorias de porteros de las selecciones nacionales de estos países. Los porteros seleccionados correspondieron a los de mejor rendimiento individual, confirmando el modelo.

Resumo Este artigo teve por objetivo apresentar uma abordagem empírica ao método de Composição Probabilística de Preferências (CPP). O método CPP se destina a escolha, ordenação e classificação de alternativas em problemas multicritério. O CPP tem explorado ampla variedade de aplicações a partir de distribuições de probabilidades contínuas. Entretanto, o uso de probabilidades empíricas, sem a necessidade de conhecer ou assumir uma função de probabilidade conjunta que origina as preferências, pode contribuir para lidar com determinados tipos de problema com escalas ordinais de preferência. A abordagem empírica é aqui aplicada em três casos, com a finalidade de ilustrar suas principais características e limitações. A proposta se mostrou satisfatória para o tratamento de preferências de avaliadores, especialmente quando o número de alternativas é reduzido em relação às opções da escala de pontos de avaliação e ao número de avaliadores, por contribuir para elevar a capacidade discriminatória dos resultados.

Abstract This paper aimed at presenting an Empirical Approach to the Composition of Probabilistic Preferences (CPP) method. The CPP method is used to choose, sort and classify alternatives in multi-criteria problems. The CPP has explored a wide variety of applications from continuous probability distributions. However, the use of empirical probabilities, without the need to know or assume a joint probability function that gives rise to preferences, can help to deal with certain types of problems with ordinal preference scales. The empirical approach is applied here in three cases, with the purpose of illustrating its main characteristics and limitations. The proposal proved to be satisfactory for treating appraisers' preferences, especially when the number of alternatives is reduced in relation to the options of the scale of assessment points and the number of appraisers, as they contribute to increase the discriminatory capacity of the results.

Resumo Embora existam muitas abordagens sobre a exposição ocupacional ao ruído, a análise da percepção individual do trabalhador e suas implicações sobre o seu comportamento constituem ainda um tema raramente abordado. Objetivando colaborar em minimizar esta lacuna, fez-se um levantamento do estado da arte das publicações que relacionam às variáveis que estariam associadas à exposição ao risco físico ruído no meio laboral com o uso do equipamento de proteção auditivo. Após, utilizou-se uma amostra de 278 trabalhadores industriais expostos a níveis de pressões sonoras superiores a 80 dB (A) para examinar a relação entre a percepção do ruído ocupacional e o uso do equipamento individual auditivo. A aplicação da técnica de análise fatorial a esses dados permitiu ainda quantificar efeitos diretos e indiretos de um conjunto de fatores sobre o uso do equipamento. Concluiu-se que a percepção da exposição ao risco do ruído pelos trabalhadores é um importante preditor sobre a decisão de uso do equipamento de proteção auditiva.

Abstract Although there are many approaches to occupational noise exposure, the analysis of individual perception of the worker and its implications on behavior is still a topic that is rarely addressed. A state-of-the-art survey of publications that relate the variables associated with exposure to physical risk of noise in the workplace with the use of hearing protection equipment is presented reducing this gap. After that, a sample of 278 industrial workers exposed to sound pressure levels above 80 dB (A) was collected to examine the relationship between the perception of occupational noise and the use of personal hearing equipment. By a statistical analysis of the identified variables, the direct and indirect effects of a set of factors affecting the use of the equipment were analyzed. Thus, the perception of noise exposure risk by workers is an important predictor of the use of hearing protection equipment.

ABSTRACT The Composition of Probabilistic Preferences is here applied to combine eight indicators of human development. The four components of HDI are considered together with indices of inequality in longevity, schooling, and income, and the UNDP Gender Development Index. To compose the probabilities of preference by the different criteria, a pessimistic and conservative point of view is taken. This point of view, while generating the global score, results in employing for each option the probability of not presenting the lowest evaluation according to any criterion, increasing the importance assigned in the computations to the proximity to the frontier of worst performances. Alternative rankings of the 188 countries ranked in the 2015 and the 2016 Human Development Report are obtained. Capacities allowing for interactions between up to eight components are employed. Representative profiles of ordered classes are derived from the rankings. Classifications of the countries into previously determined classes are also performed.

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze the technical performance of football teams in the FA Premier League during the 2015/2016 season. Data of twenty clubs over 38 matches for each club are considered using 23 variables. These variables have been explored in the football literature and address different features of technical performance. The different configuration of the data for teams in detached segments motivated the multi-criteria approach, which enables identification of strong and weak sectors in each segment. The uncertainty as to the outcome of football matches and the imprecision of the measures indicated the use of Composition of Probabilistic Preferences (CPP) to model the problem. “R” software was used in the modeling and computation. The CPP global scores obtained were more consistent with the final classification than those of other methods. CPP scores revealed different performances of particular groups of variables indicating aspects to be improved and explored.

O trabalho apresenta uma proposta de utilização da Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA) em processos licitatórios para contratação de embarcações tipo PSV (Platform Supply Vessel) de apoio marítimo pela Petrobras. A relevância do trabalho está em considerar as variáveis econômicas e técnicas envolvidas no processo, em alternativa ao processo atual de contratação, que considera apenas o menor preço. A escolha da proposta de menor preço pode gerar custos extras ao longo do tempo, pois não considera aspectos técnicos na avaliação das propostas concorrentes. Utiliza-se o modelo DEA CCR para análise das propostas concorrentes com o uso complementar da fronteira invertida para o cálculo da eficiência. A vantagem desta proposta é que são considerados os aspectos econômicos e técnicos sem qualquer interferência do decisor. Os resultados mostram que a melhor proposta é a embarcação HW, única com eficiência máxima, seguida da embarcação LT. É feita ainda uma comparação dos resultados obtidos pelo modelo DEA proposto com um processo licitatório real.

This paper proposes the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models in bidding processes for hiring offshore support vessels type PSV (Platform Supply Vessel) for Petrobras. The relevance of the work lies in taking into account economical and technical variables as an alternative to the current process of hiring, which selects the bid with the lowest price. The choice of the lowest bid can generate extra costs over time, because it does not take into account technical aspects in the evaluation of competing proposals. We use the CCR DEA model to evaluate the competing proposals using also the inverted frontier technique. The advantage of this approach is that technical and economic aspects are taking into account and this is done without any value judgement from the decision maker. The results show that the best bid is the HW vessel (only one with maximum efficiency) then the vessel LT. Also, we compare the results of the DEA proposed approach with a real bidding process.

A busca contínua pela excelência empresarial impõe aos gestores que os processos internos e externos das empresas sejam geridos sob uma abordagem com visão estratégica. Partindo do princípio que a excelência empresarial está baseada na criação de valor, que se efetiva a partir de iniciativas, decisões e ações, o presente artigo apresenta uma proposta de modelo de gestão para a engenharia de manutenção, a partir da estruturação de um sistema de medição formado por um conjunto de indicadores de desempenho, tomando-se como premissa uma formulação estratégica de controle de custos da manutenção. Sua estrutura é baseada na função da engenharia de manutenção, na qual continuamente busca-se a redução de desperdícios, a modificação de sistemas obsoletos e a implantação de metodologias eficazes.

The continuous search for excellence requires business managers to manage companies' internal and external processes using a strategic vision approach. By assuming that business excellence is based on creating value which is as effective as initiatives, decisions and actions that set value within the company, this paper proposes a model of management for maintenance using a system of measurement composed of a set of performance indicators. They are used to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance and are mainly based on a strategy to control the costs with maintenance. Its structure is based on the function of the engineering maintenance, which continually seeks to reduce wastage, the modification of obsolete systems, and the deployment of effective methodologies.

O artigo apresenta um estudo, desenvolvido em uma empresa concessionária de energia elétrica, com o objetivo de identificar os principais fatores relativos aos ambientes de trabalho, que contribuem para a ocorrência de acidentes nos serviços emergenciais em redes aéreas de distribuição de energia elétrica. O estudo consiste na análise das instruções normativas e dos modos operatórios originais, desenvolvidos pelos próprios trabalhadores, face aos imprevistos e incertezas decorrentes da natureza emergencial dos serviços. Também são identificados os tipos de acidentes mais comuns relacionados à atividade e sua correlação com os fatores ambientais, constituindo -se num importante elemento para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de prevenção de acidentes para todas as empresas que atuam em serviços emergenciais nas redes aéreas de distribuição de energia elétrica.

This paper presents a study, developed in a concessionary company of electric energy, looking for to identify the environmental factors that contribute to the occurrence of accidents in the emergency services in the overhead distribution lines of electric energy. The study, analyzes the normative instructions for the work and the original operative manners, developed by the own workers, face to the unexpected ones and current uncertainties of the nature emergencial of the services. Was also identified the types of more common accidents related to the activity and it's correlation with the environmental factors, if constituting in an important element for the development of a prevention system of accidents for all the companies that act in emergency services in the overhead distribution lines of electric energy.