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.

Resumo Este estudo tem o objetivo de identificar as interdependências e trade-offs presentes entre os objetivos do desenvolvimento sustentável (ODS), por meio da ordenação de uma amostra aleatória de 30 municípios nas cinco regiões do Brasil, considerando as dimensões social, econômica e ambiental da sustentabilidade e utilizando indicadores relacionados aos ODS. Os indicadores foram integrados por meio da Composição Probabilística de Preferências (CPP), um método probabilístico multicritério de apoio à decisão. Os resultados mostram que os municípios alternam posições superiores, inferiores ou intermediárias entre os diferentes indicadores e que nenhum obtém o melhor desempenho em todas as atividades avaliadas. O estudo forneceu uma percepção de como a efetivação das metas da Agenda 2030 se dá de forma heterogênea em diferentes regiões do Brasil. As contradições existentes entre os ODS, devido à relação de interdependência entre eles, mostraram que bons desempenhos em alguns indicadores não são suficientes para configurar um município como sustentável.

Abstract This study aims to identify the interdependencies and trade-offs present among the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by ordering a random sample of 30 municipalities in the five regions of Brazil, considering the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and using indicators related to SDGs. The indicators were integrated through the Probabilistic Composition of Preferences (CPP), a multicriteria probabilistic decision support method. The results show that the municipalities alternate upper, lower, or intermediate positions among the different indicators and that none obtains the best performance in all the activities evaluated. The study provided a perception of how the implementation of the Agenda 2030 is heterogeneous in different regions of Brazil. The contradictions among the SDGs, due to their interdependent relationship, showed that good performance in some indicators is not enough to make a municipality sustainable.

Resumen Este estudio tiene el objetivo de identificar las interdependencias y trade-offs entre los objetivos del desarrollo sostenible (ODS) ordenando una muestra aleatoria de 30 municipios en las cinco regiones de Brasil, considerando las dimensiones sociales, económicas y ambientales de la sostenibilidad y utilizando indicadores relacionados con los ODS. Los indicadores se integraron a través de la Composición Probabilística de Preferencias (CPP), un método de apoyo de decisión probabilístico multicriterio. Los resultados muestran que los municipios alternan posiciones superiores, inferiores o intermedias entre los diferentes indicadores y que ninguno obtiene el mejor desempeño en todas las actividades evaluadas. El estudio proporcionó una percepción de cómo la implementación de la Agenda 2030 es heterogénea en diferentes regiones de Brasil. Las contradicciones entre los ODS, debido a su relación interdependiente, mostraron que el buen desempeño en algunos indicadores no es suficiente para que un municipio sea sostenible

Neste artigo descrevemos a construção e funcionamento de um MCQ experimental de baixo custo para demonstrar o uso de sensores quartzo para análises micro gravimétricas em meio líquido. Para isso, foi utilizado a plataforma Arduino micro® para controlar o interfaceamento com o computador, bem como um frequencímetro para excitação do sensor. Uma interface gráfica gratuita para computadores foi utilizada a fim de controlar o experimento e exibir os dados obtidos em tempo real. Também foram apresentados aplicações do modelo experimental e análises das capacidades de detecção.

In this article we describe the construction and operation of a low-cost experimental MCQ to demonstrate the use of quartz sensors for micro gravimetric analysis in liquid medium. For this, the Arduino micro® platform was used to control the interface with the computer, as well as a frequency meter for sensor excitation. A free graphic interface for computers was used to control the experiment and display the data obtained in real time. Applications of the experimental model and analysis of detection capabilities were also presented.

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.

The article is a simultaneously didactic and informative deep introduction on the emergence of the paradigm of complexity for sociology. Along the narrative, we make comparisons, which allows the reader who is not familiar with the themes of science to identify the macro-paradigmatic pre-modern differences from simple modernity and the emergence of the paradigm of complexity. Whenever it is possible, we define and exemplify the terms, assertions, and principles that are significant for an understanding of the theme. We have also made numerous indications of authors and works within the narrative, thus those willing might take a deeper dive in the pathways of sociology of complexity. The article starts with an introduction that defines, after Thomas Kuhn, the concept of paradigm. Then we comparatively develop the most important principles of the paradigm of complexity. And finally, we draw attention for some challenges of sociology in complexity, warning against the risks of paralysis of complexity in the hard task of re-linking knowledges in face of the hyper- specialization present in the crisis of the paradigm of simple modernity.

El artículo es una introducción profunda, al mismo tiempo didáctica e informativa, sobre la aparición del paradigma de la complejidad en la sociología. A lo largo de la narración, se hacen comparaciones, lo que permite al lector que no esté familiarizado con los temas de la ciencia identificar las diferencias macro- paradigmáticas entre la ciencia pre-moderna de la modernidad simple y la aparición del paradigma de la complejidad. Siempre que sea posible, se definen y ejemplifican los términos, las afirmaciones y los principios que son importantes para la comprensión del tema. También hemos realizado numerosos indicaciones sobre autores y obras dentro de la narración, para que quienes lo deseen puedan profundizar en las vías de la sociología de la complejidad. El artículo comienza con una introducción que define, según Thomas Kuhn, el concepto de paradigma. Luego, comparativamente, se desarrollan los principios más importantes del paradigma de la complejidad. Por último, llamamos la atención hacia algunos de los retos de la sociología de la complejidad y alertamos contra los riesgos de parálisis de la complejidad en la difícil tarea de volver a vincular los conocimientos de cara a la actual hiper-especialización en la crisis del paradigma de la modernidad simple.

PURPOSE : Bladder augmentation is an effective surgical procedure for increasing bladder capacity and reducing pressure on the urinary system. It is indicated for patients with anomalies such as spina bifida, myelomeningocele, urethral valve and bladder exstrophy, who progress with low tolerance of medication. CASES : This was a retrospective study conducted on pediatric patients submitted to bladder augmentation from 2000 to 2011. RESULTS : 34 patients aged 4 to 17 years were submitted to bladder augmentation, 30 of them with an ileal loop and 4 with a ureter.A continent urinary shunt was performed in 16 patients, the Mitrofanoff conduit was associated in 15, and the Macedo technique was used in one. Mean follow-up was 34.35 months (1 to 122 months). Mean creatinine was 1.5 ng/ml (0.4 to 7.5 ng/ml) preoperatively and 1.78 ng/ml postoperatively. Three patients required a renal transplant during follow-up. There was improvement or resolution of vesicoureteral reflux in 83.5% of the kidneys on the right and in 75% on the left. Bladder capacity increased, on average, from 152.5 ml to 410 ml. The main complications were vesical lithiasis in 3 patients and conduit perforation in one. CONCLUSION : Bladder augmentation showed good results in this series, preserving renal function in most of the patients.

Um dos problemas comumente encontrado na análise estatística de dados provenientes do monitoramento da qualidade da água envolve os chamados dados censurados. Este estudo mostra como os valores calculados das concentração médias de amostras que contenham dados censurados são influenciadas pelo tamanho da amostra, percentual de dados censurados e método de cálculo. As concentrações médias foram calculadas com os métodos de substituição e maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) para amostras de demanda química de oxigênio e fosfato. O intervalo de confiança da média foi utilizado como métrica de comparação. Os resultados revelam que as concentrações médias calculadas com o método de substituição simples se posiciona fora do intervalo de confiança. Já o método MLE calcula valores aceitáveis, porém, a eficácia do método depende de um limite de elasticidade do nível de censura e do tamanho da amostra.

One of the most common problems in statistical analysis of data from water quality monitoring programs involves the so-called censored data. This study highlights how the sample mean concentration of chemical oxygen demand and phosphate variables are influenced by the estimation method, sample size and percentage of censored data. The confidence interval was used as a metric for comparison of calculated sample mean concentrations on both simple substitution and maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) methods. The results show that sample mean concentrations calculated by simple substitution method are positioned outside the confidence interval. Otherwise, the MLE method produces acceptable values for sample mean concentration, although the magnitude is constrained by sample size and percentage of censored data. The effectiveness of the method depends on an elastic limit of censoring level and sample size.

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.

Interaction between universities and companies is common in Countries considered to be developed and innovative. In Brazil, this strategy is not widely used, although some relevant actions have produced good results in the pharmaceutical sector. The Brazilian Innovation Law, which is considered a milestone, created the Technology Innovation Centers (TICs) in universities, and is seen by the Ministry of Health in Brazil as having great strategic promise within the area of drugs and medicine. In this regard, this article seeks to present the findings of an exploratory research project investigating the participation of Brazilian universities in the formation of strategic partnerships focused on the development of drugs, after the advent of the Brazilian Innovation Law. An exploratory study was used as an instrument of methodological support, backed by a survey whose results allowed the authors to identify some significant reflections structured in the university-pharmaceutical industry-government approach.