The growing interest in small-scale electricity generation located near customers, known as Distributed Generation (DG), is driven primarily by emerging technologies, environmental regulations and concerns, electricity market restructuring, and growing customer demand for increased quality and reliability of the electricity supply. Wind turbines are one of the renewable DG technologies that have become an important source of electricity in many parts of the world. Wind power can be used in many places to provide a viable solution to rising demand, energy security and independence, and climate change mitigation. This research aims broadly at facilitating the integration of wind-based DG without jeopardizing the system’s economics and reliability. To achieve this goal, the thesis tackles wind power from three perspectives: those of the policy maker, the investor, and the system operator. Generally, the economic viability of a project is determined within the framework of relevant policies. Therefore, these policies influence the decisions of potential investors in wind power. From this perspective, chapters 3 and 4 investigate the influence of policies on the economic viability of wind-based DG projects. In chapter 3, the role of Ontario’s taxation and incentive policies in the economic viability of wind-based DG projects is investigated. In this study, the effects of provincial income taxes, capital cost allowances, property taxes, and relevant federal incentives are considered. Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for different scenarios are used to assess the project’s viability under the Ontario Standard Offer Program (SOP) for wind power. In chapter 4, the thesis proposes the use of wind power as a source of electricity in a new city being developed in the Duqm area of Oman, where no policies supporting renewable energy exist. The study shows that the cost of electricity produced by wind turbines is higher than that of the existing generation system, due to the subsidized prices of domestically available natural gas. However, given high international natural gas prices, the country’s long-term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export obligations, and the expansion of natural gas-based industries, investments in wind power in Duqm can be justified. A feed-in tariff and capital cost allowance policies are recommended to facilitate investments in this sector. From a wind-based DG investor’s perspective, the optimal selection of wind turbines can make wind power more economical, as illustrated in chapters 5 and 6. In chapter 5, the thesis presents a new generic model for Capacity Factor (CF) estimation using wind speed characteristics at any site and the power performance curve parameters of any pitch-regulated wind turbine. Compared to the existing model, the proposed formulation is simpler and results in more accurate CF estimation. CF models can be used by wind-based DG investors for optimal turbine-site matching applications. However, in chapter 6, the thesis demonstrates that using CF models as the sole basis for turbine-site matching applications tends to produce results that are biased towards higher towers but do not include the associated costs. Therefore, a novel formulation for the turbine-site matching problem, based on a modified CF formulation that does include turbine tower height, is introduced in chapter 6. The proposed universal Turbine-Site Matching Index (TSMI) also includes the effects of turbine rated power and tower height on the initial capital cost of wind turbines. Chapter 7 tackles wind power from a power system operator’s perspective. Despite wind power benefits, the effects of its intermittent nature on power systems need to be carefully examined as penetration levels increase. In this chapter, the thesis investigates the effects of different temporal wind profiles on the scheduling costs of thermal generation units. Two profiles are considered: synoptic-dominated and diurnal-dominated variations of aggregated wind power. To simulate wind profile impacts, a linear mixed-integer unit commitment problem is formulated in a GAMS environment. The uncertainty associated with wind power is represented using a chance constrained formulation. The simulation results illustrate the significant impacts of different wind profiles on fuel saving benefits, startup costs, and wind power curtailments. In addition, the results demonstrate the importance of the wide geographical dispersion of wind power production facilities to minimize the impacts of network constraints on the value of the harvested wind energy and the amount of curtailed energy.

The growing interest in small-scale electricity generation located near customers, known as Distributed Generation (DG), is driven primarily by emerging technologies, environmental regulations and concerns, electricity market restructuring, and growing customer demand for increased quality and reliability of the electricity supply. Wind turbines are one of the renewable DG technologies that have become an important source of electricity in many parts of the world. Wind power can be used in many places to provide a viable solution to rising demand, energy security and independence, and climate change mitigation. This research aims broadly at facilitating the integration of wind-based DG without jeopardizing the system’s economics and reliability. To achieve this goal, the thesis tackles wind power from three perspectives: those of the policy maker, the investor, and the system operator. Generally, the economic viability of a project is determined within the framework of relevant policies. Therefore, these policies influence the decisions of potential investors in wind power. From this perspective, chapters 3 and 4 investigate the influence of policies on the economic viability of wind-based DG projects. In chapter 3, the role of Ontario’s taxation and incentive policies in the economic viability of wind-based DG projects is investigated. In this study, the effects of provincial income taxes, capital cost allowances, property taxes, and relevant federal incentives are considered. Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for different scenarios are used to assess the project’s viability under the Ontario Standard Offer Program (SOP) for wind power. In chapter 4, the thesis proposes the use of wind power as a source of electricity in a new city being developed in the Duqm area of Oman, where no policies supporting renewable energy exist. The study shows that the cost of electricity produced by wind turbines is higher than that of the existing generation system, due to the subsidized prices of domestically available natural gas. However, given high international natural gas prices, the country’s long-term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export obligations, and the expansion of natural gas-based industries, investments in wind power in Duqm can be justified. A feed-in tariff and capital cost allowance policies are recommended to facilitate investments in this sector. From a wind-based DG investor’s perspective, the optimal selection of wind turbines can make wind power more economical, as illustrated in chapters 5 and 6. In chapter 5, the thesis presents a new generic model for Capacity Factor (CF) estimation using wind speed characteristics at any site and the power performance curve parameters of any pitch-regulated wind turbine. Compared to the existing model, the proposed formulation is simpler and results in more accurate CF estimation. CF models can be used by wind-based DG investors for optimal turbine-site matching applications. However, in chapter 6, the thesis demonstrates that using CF models as the sole basis for turbine-site matching applications tends to produce results that are biased towards higher towers but do not include the associated costs. Therefore, a novel formulation for the turbine-site matching problem, based on a modified CF formulation that does include turbine tower height, is introduced in chapter 6. The proposed universal Turbine-Site Matching Index (TSMI) also includes the effects of turbine rated power and tower height on the initial capital cost of wind turbines. Chapter 7 tackles wind power from a power system operator’s perspective. Despite wind power benefits, the effects of its intermittent nature on power systems need to be carefully examined as penetration levels increase. In this chapter, the thesis investigates the effects of different temporal wind profiles on the scheduling costs of thermal generation units. Two profiles are considered: synoptic-dominated and diurnal-dominated variations of aggregated wind power. To simulate wind profile impacts, a linear mixed-integer unit commitment problem is formulated in a GAMS environment. The uncertainty associated with wind power is represented using a chance constrained formulation. The simulation results illustrate the significant impacts of different wind profiles on fuel saving benefits, startup costs, and wind power curtailments. In addition, the results demonstrate the importance of the wide geographical dispersion of wind power production facilities to minimize the impacts of network constraints on the value of the harvested wind energy and the amount of curtailed energy.

Breast cancer is a common disease in Australia and exerts a sizable burden to individuals, families, and health care resources. Studies that assess healthrelated quality-of-life (HRQoL) are particularly relevant as survivors must learn to live with breast cancer, undergo prolonged treatment, use new pharmacological agents, monitor and adjust to a serious condition. Relatively little published evidence exists on the effects of rehabilitation programs for breast cancer survivors but those published demonstrate positive health benefits that alleviate both physical and psychological problems. This study aimed to partly fill this gap and had the objectives of: a) estimating the effectiveness of two rehabilitation interventions for breast cancer survivors over time compared to a non-intervention comparison group; and b) ascertaining which option was cost-effective when taking a societal perspective. Effectiveness was described in terms of HRQoL and functional status and there was a particular focus on upperbody morbidity since the two interventions primarily addressed this aspect of rehabilitation. The study participants comprised three groups: one group received a physiotherapy home-visits service (DAART), the second attended a gentleexercise group program (STRETCH), while the third represented a nonintervention comparison group for later analyses only. Data collection was primarily by way of postal questionnaires while medical and cost data abstraction was also necessary. Reliable and validated instruments were used to collect HRQoL and utility data. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast Cancer plus the Arm Morbidity module (FACT-B+4), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), and the Subjective Health Estimation (SHE) instruments were chosen for their high psychometric performance with various populations, their brevity, quick administration and relevance to a breast cancer sample. Missing data was a small concern overall, however, baseline differences were present and mixed across the three participant groups indicating selection bias was present. DAART showed poorer demographic indicators of socioeconomic status and were older, STRETCH participants had poorer disease and treatment profile, while the non-intervention women had poorer general health characteristics. Based on bivariate analyses, age, presence of comorbidities, chemotherapy, high blood pressure, work status (unpaid/paid), hormone therapy were determined to be factors requiring control for in the multivariate analyses. Benefits were found for multiple dimensions of HRQoL for the DAART intervention. On average, HRQoL levels were fairly high across the three alternative participant groups and no significant group differences were found. However, approximately one-third of the women experienced declining HRQoL between 6- to 12-months and their scores were significantly poorer than other participants. STRETCH incurred higher overall costs per participant (on average) than DAART and the non-intervention groups. This was driven by higher leisure time forgone, travel and higher community costs. DAART experienced the highest program costs (or health system costs). Therefore, by taking a societal perspective, and incorporating the estimated value of more intangible or indirect costs (e.g., volunteers, travel costs etc.) the STRETCH program was more costly. The greatest influence on higher costs incurred by the STRETCH participants was the average out-of-pocket expenses for health care services purchased during the previous 12 months for breast cancer-related problems. Although an exploratory finding, the DAART group emerged as the cost-effective option, that is, the incremental cost per QALY gained was $1,344 compared to STRETCH $14,478. The key drivers in the cost-effectiveness modelling were utility values and health service expenditure. When uncertainty was quantified by way of Monte Carlo modelling, DAART remained the cost-effective choice. This project has highlighted that while many women seem to breeze through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, there are a substantial number of women who do not. Therefore, it is quite mistaken to generalise the favourable levels of HRQoL and expect that all women will get back to 'normal'. Given that HRQoL is a very complex concept, it was important to use validated tools that had undergone extensive testing with sound psychometric properties. Health care activities observed in their natural 'real world' setting are preferable to minimise biases that may cause more favourable results than truly occur and allow a better assessment on the impact of the service. The project findings have been interpreted while respecting a number of limitations. These have included potential selection and response bias, missing data, and small numbers of intervention women and defined socio-demographic profiles. Taken together, these are likely to overestimate the true outcomes. Arguably, selection bias and the timing of the interventions are likely to be the strongest factors affecting the generalisability of these findings. Given the caveats of this research, the following recommendations were made: 1. Greater awareness and/or screening of adjustment problems among survivors needs to be considered during recovery from breast cancer surgery. 2. Early physiotherapy should be given to all breast cancer survivors after surgery due to the potential functional, physical and overall HRQoL benefits that may arise. 3. Professionally-led group exercise therapy with psychosocial care appears to have a neutral effect on upper-body recovery and improving HRQoL. However, it provides advantages for attendees in the form of peersupport, education, a holistic focus and the potential for addressing previously unrecognised psychological problems in a caring and acceptable environment. This program, with large community resources (provided voluntarily), represents a very low-cost outlay for health services and should be given support and consideration during follow-up care after breast surgery. 4. From a societal perspective, a home-visiting physiotherapy service represents a cost-effective means to provide rehabilitative care for breast cancer patients and represents an excellent public health investment. Several topics for further research are likely to be important in the future including, among others, other modes and settings of rehabilitation service delivery, barriers to psychosocial care and the indirect financial and work consequences of having breast cancer.

Submitted by Alexandre Soares (alexandredesoares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-08-25T13:32:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 kariny_ferreira_moreira.pdf: 704247 bytes, checksum: 3674bfe36cc3e9be9a82f1bbfa71c745 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2016-09-08T18:43:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 kariny_ferreira_moreira.pdf: 704247 bytes, checksum: 3674bfe36cc3e9be9a82f1bbfa71c745 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-08T18:43:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 kariny_ferreira_moreira.pdf: 704247 bytes, checksum: 3674bfe36cc3e9be9a82f1bbfa71c745 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / A busca por alimentos alternativos dentro da nutri??o animal tem crescido bastante em virtude da demanda por alimentos vi?veis economicamente e oferta de coprodutos agroind?strias. Assim, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a substitui??o, em n?veis crescentes: 0, 25, 50, 75% da prote?na do concentrado pela prote?na bruta oriunda do farelo de crambe em dietas destinadas a cordeiros confinados. Durante todo per?odo experimental os animais receberam dietas contendo 50% de volumoso e 50% de concentrado. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos SRD, n?o castrados, com idade m?dia inicial de quatro meses e peso vivo m?dio inicial de 17,50?3,90 kg distribu?dos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis repeti??es por tratamento confinados individualmente. Os animais foram pesados para avalia??o de ganho de peso (GP), ganho m?dio di?rio (GMD), efici?ncia alimentar (EA) e convers?o alimentar (CA) havendo controle di?rio de consumo individual. Em rela??o aos fatores antinutricionais causados pelos glicosinolato coletou-se amostras de sangue a cada 15 dias para avaliar os poss?veis efeitos hep?ticos atrav?s da enzimas alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e para determina??o de nitrog?nio ur?ico s?rico. Foi realizado ensaio de cinco dias em que se avaliou-se a digestibilidade aparente total atrav?s de coleta total de fezes e consumo de nutrientes. Foram realizadas coletas spot de urina para a determina??o dos derivados de purina, efici?ncia de s?ntese de prote?na microbiana, teor de nitrog?nio ur?ico da urina e balan?o de nitrog?nio. Todos os ingredientes da dieta, sobras e fezes foram submetidos ?s an?lises para quantifica??o dos componentes nutricionais. Os resultados foram submetidos ? an?lise de vari?ncia e estudo de regress?o adotando-se o n?vel de signific?ncia de 5%, utilizando-se o programa SAS. N?o foi observado efeito dos n?veis de farelo de crambe nas dietas para ganho m?dio di?rio, efici?ncia alimentar e convers?o alimentar. Houve efeito linear decrescente em kg.dia-1 para o consumo de MS, MO, PB e CNFcp. N?o houve efeito das dietas para digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO, PB, FDNcp EE, CNFcp e CHOT. Verificou-se efeito linear crescente para os valores de efici?ncia de s?ntese microbiana em gPBmic.100gNDT-1consumido. N?o houve altera??o da atividade das enzimas hep?ticas AST e ALT. Para realizar as an?lises econ?mico-financeiras foram considerados o perfil tecnol?gico, indicadores de tamanho, indicadores zoot?cnicos e indicadores econ?micos dos sistemas de produ??o associados a diferentes estrat?gias nutricionais. Foram utilizados os dados de desempenho do presente estudo sendo consideradas as estruturas de avalia??o de custos de produ??o em custo efetivo, custo operacional total, custo total, margem bruta, margem l?quida, lucro e a taxa de retorno do capital investido. Contudo estrat?gia nutricional com inclus?o de 25% de PB do farelo de crambe (25FC) proporcionou maior n?mero de ciclos de termina??o por ano culminando em maior n?mero de animais vendidos. Verificou-se que a estrat?gia nutricionaal com inclus?o de 75% de PB do farelo de crambe (75FC) foi respons?vel pelo menor custo com a alimenta??o dos animais sendo ambas as estrat?gias 25FC e 75FC as mais rent?veis apresentando maiores valores da taxa de retorno do capital investido de 13,57% e 17,84% respectivamente. Todas as estrat?gias alimentares proporcionaram margem bruta e l?quida positiva, com m?dia de R$54326,60 ao ano e R$39643,54 ao ano, respectivamente. Pode-se concluir que o farelo de crambe, oriundo da produ??o de biodiesel, pode ser utilizado como alimento alternativo prot?ico podendo substituir em at? 75% da PB do concentrado da dieta por n?o interferir nas vari?veis de desempenho produtivo e na efici?ncia de s?ntese de prote?na microbiana apesar de causar a redu??o no consumo de MS e PB. Da mesma maneira, o aumento do consumo de glicosinolato, presente do farelo de crambe n?o causou aumento nas enzimas hep?ticas AST e ALT. A utiliza??o de at? 75% de substitui??o da prote?na do concentrado oriunda do farelo de crambe na produ??o de cordeiros de corte ? economicamente vi?vel permitindo a viabilidade da atividade em curto e ou longo prazo. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Zootecnia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2015. / The search for alternative food in animal nutrition has grown considerably due to economically viable food supply demand, and offer of agro-industries co-products. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the replacement, at increasing levels: 0, 25, 50, 75% of feed concentrate protein, for crude protein derived from the crambe meal in diets designed to lambs. Throughout the trial period, animals were fed with a diet containing 50% roughage, and 50% concentrate. They were used 24 lambs, male not castratedbwith initial age of four months, and average body weight of 17.50 ? 3.90kg, distributed in a completely randomized design, composed with six replicates per treatment confined individually.The animals were weighed for further evaluation of weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (EA), and feed conversion (FC) with daily control of individual consumption. Regarding antinutritional glucosinolates factors, blood samples were collected on taken every 15 days to avaluate the possible effects caused by the liver, through the enzymes measured glucosinate aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for determination of serum urea nitrogen. It was carried out apparent total digestibility assay, during five consecutive days, total and individual fecal where collected. Spot urine collections, for the purine derivatives determination, microbial protein synthesis efficiency, urea nitrogen and nitrogen balance. The results were submitted to analysis of variance compared by regression adopting the significance level of 5% using the SAS program. There was no effect of crambe meal levels in the diets for daily mean gain, feed efficiency, and feed conversion. A decreasing linear effect kg day-1 in DM, OM, CP, and CNFcp intake. There was increasing linear effect for microbial synthesis efficiency values at gPBmic.100gNDT-1 intake. There was no change in liver enzyme AST and ALT activity. To conduct the economic and financial analyzes, were considered the technological profile, size indicators, zootechnical indicators, and economic indicators of different feeding strategies. production costs for Structural Assessment in cost effective, total operating cost, total cost, gross margin, net margin, profit, and the rate of return on invested capital were considered. However, nutrional strategy with the inclusion of 25% CP crambe meal (25FC) provided a greater number of production cycle per year, culminating in more animals. It was found that the nutritional strategy with inclusion of 75% CP crambe meal most cost effective, and with greater values of capital invested return rate, 13.57%, and 17.84%, respectively. All food strategies provided positive gross and net margin, avering R$ 54,326.60 per annum and R$ 39,643.54 per annum respectively. It can be concluded that crambe meal, derived from biodiesel production, can be used as an alternative food protein, and can replace up to 75% protein diet not interfer in the productive performance, and in microbial protein synthesis efficiency despite to cause a reduction in the consumption of DM, and CP. Likewise, increasing glucosinate, coming from the crambe meal didn?t cause animals no increase in liver enzymes AST and ALT within studied levels. The use of 75% replacement of the concentrated protein derived with crambe mealbran the production cutting is economically viable enabling the viability in the short or long-term activity.

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar estudos de custos sob a perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde em dois temas relevantes para a saúde da população: o manejo clínico da cardiopatia isquêmica e os exames de diagnóstico molecular para rastreamento precoce de câncer hereditário. O estudo contempla a revisão teórica de avaliações econômicas e custos em saúde que consistiram no arcabouço conceitual para os dois temas. Para o estudo na área de cardiopatia isquêmica foi realizada uma coorte restrospectiva com 330 pacientes acompanhados em ambulatório especializado para os quais foram identificados e valorados os recursos utilizados em nível ambulatorial e hospitalar.Os resultados são apresentados no artigo 1. Nos estudos para avaliação de método diagnóstico, o câncer hereditário foi o tema escolhido, realizando-se a identificação dos custos operacionais na realização de diferentes testes para verificação de mutação do gene BRCA1 no câncer de mama hereditário no artigo 2 e para a identificação da mutação do gene TP53 p.R337H relacionado à predisposição de câncer familial no artigo 3. Esses três estudos poderão subsidiar pesquisas em outras áreas clínicas e futuras avaliações de custo-efetividade de estratégias terapêuticas nos temas abordados. / This study aimed to do direct costs analysis from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system, covering two topics which are relevant to the health of the Brazilian population: the clinical management of ischemic cardiomyopathy and of molecular diagnostic technologies for early screening in cancer genetics. The study includes a theoretical review of economic evaluations and of appropriation of costs related to health that composed the conceptual framework for the two topics. For the study of ischemic cardiomyopathy, we did a retrospective cohort with 330 patients followed in a specialized ambulatory, for whom the resources utilized in ambulatory and in-patient level were identified and valuated were used as model. The results are presented in article 1. In the studies to evaluation of diagnosis method, hereditary cancer was the chosen subject and we did the identification of operational costs involved in the testing for the mutation of the BRCA1 gene in hereditary breast cancer in article 2 and in the testing for the mutation of the TP53 p.R337H gene, which relates to the predisposition to familial cancer, in article 3. These three studies may subsidize research in other clinical fields, as well as future cost-effectiveness evaluations of therapeutic strategies regarding the broached subjects.

O presente trabalho foi baseado nos resultados de um experimento conduzido por cinco anos (2003 a 2008), na Estação Experimental Campanha da Fundação de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, em pastagem natural do Bioma Pampa. Os tratamentos consistiram de níveis de oferta diária de forragem de 4, 8, 12 e 16 kg de MSFV 100 kg PV-1 dia-1 e um Sistema (SIS) formado por três áreas com manejos complementares (pastagem natural sob oferta de forragem de 12%, pastagem natural diferida e pastagem natural melhorada por fertilização e sobressemeadura de espécies hibernais). Como animais testers foram utilizados quatro novilhos Braford. O delineamento foi o de blocos completamente casualizados com medidas repetidas no tempo e duas repetições de área. As variáveis relacionadas a produção primária demonstraram resposta positiva e linear ao incremento das ofertas de forragem. Os ganhos médios diários no verão e na primavera foram descritos por uma equação linear e única com ponto de estabilização máximo na oferta de forragem de 10,1%. Já no outono, a resposta foi quadrática com valor máximo na oferta de forragem de 14%, enquanto no inverno foi linear, sendo necessário garantir uma oferta de forragem mínima de 12% para a manutenção do peso dos animais. A taxa de lotação apresentou resposta linear e descrescente no verão e na primavera. A análise econômica dos tratamentos determinou o maior custo total de produção, receita líquida operacional e margem bruta considerando a totalidade dos custos para o tratamento “SIS”. Além disso, foi responsável pela maior produtividade e, portanto facilmente atingiu o ponto de equilíbrio do custo total de produção. Desse modo, dentre as possibilidades testadas o “SIS” foi a melhor alternativa econômica de forrageamento para recria e terminação de bovinos em pastagem natural. Para recria e terminação, exclusivamente em pastagem natural, a melhor alternativa econômica é a manutenção de uma oferta de 12%. Considerando a possibilidade indicada pelo “SIS”, e simulando diferentes proporções de pastagem melhorada, para a recria e terminação de novilhos e engorda de vacas, o melhoramento de 25% da área de pastagem natural mostra ser a alternativa de maior eficiência econômica. / This work was based on the results of an experiment conducted for five years (2003-2008), at Estação Experimental Campanha, Fundação de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul in natural grasslands of the Pampas Biome. Treatments consisted of four levels of forage allowance (FA) 4, 8, 12 and 16 kg of DMGF/100 kg of LW and a System (SYS) comprising three areas with complementary managements (natural grassland 12% FA, deferred natural grassland and improved natural pasture by fertilization and oversowing of winter cultivated species). Grazing method was continuous, with variable stocking rate, using four Braford steers as testers. The design was a completely randomized block with repeated measures in time (years) and two repetitions of area. The variables related to primary production showed positive and linear response to the increase in forage allowance. The average daily gain in the summer and spring were described by linear regression with a break point in forage allowance of 10.1%. In the autumn, the response was quadratic with maximum value at 14% FA, while in winter it was linear, being necessary to ensure a forage allowance of 12% to assure animal maintainance. The stocking rate showed a decreasing linear response in the summer and spring. The economic analysis of treatments determined the highest total production cost, net income and gross margin considering all the costs for treatment "SYS". In addition, it was responsible for increased productivity and therefore easily reached the point of economical equilibrium of the total production cost. Thus, among the possibilities tested the "SYS" was the best economic alternative for growing and fattening cattle on natural grassland. To rearing and finishing exclusively on natural grassland, the best economical alternative is the use of 12% of forage on offer all year round. Considering the possibility indicated by the "SYS" and using simulations for production systems for growing and finishing steers and fattening cows, the improvement of 25% of the natural pasture area shows the alternative of greater economic efficiency.

Computação em nuvem é um novo paradigma, onde recursos computacionais são disponibilizados como serviços. Neste cenário, o usuário não tem a necessidade de adquirir infraestrutura, ele pode alugar os recursos de um provedor e usá-los durante um certo período de tempo. Além disso, o usuário pode facilmente alocar e desalocar quantos recursos ele desejar, num ambiente totalmente elástico. O usuário só é cobrado pelo efetivo uso que for feito dos recursos alocados, isso significa que ele somente pagará pelo que for utilizado. Por outro lado, usuários de processamento de alto desempenho (PAD) tem a necessidade de utilizar grande poder computacional como uma ferramenta de trabalho. Para se ter acesso a estes recursos, são necessários investimentos financeiros adequados para aquisição de sistemas para PAD. Mas, neste caso, duas situações podem incorrer em problemas. O usuário necessita ter acesso aos recursos financeiros totais para adquirir e manter um sistema para PAD, e esses recusros são limitados. O propósito dessa dissertação é avaliar se o paradigma de computação em nuvem é um ambiente viável para PAD, verificando se este modelo de computação tem a capaciodade de prover acesso a ambientes que podem ser utilizados para a execução de aplicações de alto desempenho, e também, se o custo benefício apresentado é melhor do que o de sistemas tradicionais. Para isso, todo o modelo de computação em nuvem foi avaliado para se identificar quais partes dele tem o potencial para ser usado para PAD. Os componentes identificados foram avaliados utilizando-se proeminentes provedores de computação em nuvem. Foram analisadas as capacidades de criação de ambientes de PAD, e tais ambientes tiveram seu desempenho analisado através da utilização de técnicas tradicionais. Para a avaliação do custo benefício, foi criado e aplicado um modelo de custo. Os resultados mostraram que todos os provedores analisados possuem a capacidade de criação de ambientes de PAD. Em termos de desempenho, houveram alguns casos em que os provedores de computação em nuvem foram melhores do que um sistema tradicional. Na perspectiva de custo, a nuvem apresenta uma alternativa bastante interessante devido ao seu modelo de cobrança de acordo com o uso. Como conclusão dessa dissertação, foi mostrado que a computação em nuvem pode ser utilizada como uma alternativa real para ambientes de PAD. / Cloud computing is a new paradigm, where computational resources are offered as services. In this context, the user does not need to buy infrastructure, the resources can be rented from a provider and used for a period of time. Furthermore the user can easily allocate as many resources as needed, and deallocate them as well, in a totally elastic environment. The resources need to be paid only for the effective usage time. On the other hand, High-Performance Computing (HPC) requires a large amount of computational power. To acquire systems capable for HPC, large financial investments are necessary. Apart from the initial investment, the user must pay the maintenance costs, and has only limited computational resources. To overcome these issues, this thesis aims to evaluate the cloud computing paradigm as a candidate environment for HPC. We analyze the efforts and challenges for porting and deploy HPC applications to the cloud. We evaluate if this computing model can provide sufficient capacities for running HPC applications, and compare its cost efficiency to traditional HPC systems, such as clusters. The cloud computing paradigm was analyzed to identify which models have the potential to be used for HPC purposes. The identified models were then evaluated using major cloud providers, Microsoft Windows Azure, Amazon EC2 and Rackspace and compare them to a traditional HPC system. We analyzed the capabilities to create HPC environments, and evaluated their performance. For the evaluation of the cost efficiency, we developed an economic model. The results show that all the evaluated providers have the capability to create HPC environments. In terms of performance, there are some cases where cloud providers present a better performance than the traditional system. From the cost perspective, the cloud presents an interesting alternative due to the pay-per-use model. Summarizing the results, this dissertation shows that cloud computing can be used as a realistic alternative for HPC environments.

A albumina humana (AH) é um medicamento de ampla utilização e de custo elevado que integra o elenco de procedimentos especiais do Ministério da Saúde no Brasil. Em 2004, a ANVISA publicou uma resolução que estabelece diretrizes para o uso terapêutico deste medicamento. Apesar dos dados da literatura sugerirem conclusões não definitivas sobre os reais benefícios do uso de albumina no tratamento de pacientes com síndrome nefrótica (SN), a diretriz recomenda o uso nos casos de edemas refratários ao uso de diuréticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar através de análises econômicas a indicação clinica da diretriz para uso de Albumina Humana da ANVISA, em pacientes com Síndrome Nefrótica. A partir de uma coorte concorrente foram realizadas análises econômicas dos tipos custo-efetividade e custoutilidade. A população do estudo foi constituída por pacientes adultos e pediátricos internados com síndrome nefrótica em quatro grandes hospitais do SUS do Estado da Bahia. Os pacientes incluídos foram divididos em dois grupos comparativos conforme o seguimento ou não das orientações de uso de albumina humana da diretriz da ANVISA. A perspectiva da análise econômica foi sobre o provedor de atenção à saúde, o SUS. Os dados de qualidade de vida dos pacientes foram obtidos através de aplicação dos questionários genéricos SF36 e CHQ-PF50. O índice QALY (anos de vida ajustados à qualidade de vida) foi utilizado para a avaliação de custo-utilidade da comparação. Ao final do estudo foram selecionados 109 pacientes, com 60% de adultos, 56% do gênero feminino, mais de 90% de negros e pardos tendo 41,3% seguido as diretrizes da ANVISA. O custo médio global por internação (média de 22 dias) para o SUS foi de R$ 2.360/paciente. Os parâmetros de efetividade analisados, peso, diurese e balanço hídrico foram mais efetivos em termos de custo para os pacientes que seguiram a diretriz. A RCEI para dias de internação evitados evidenciou um custo adicional de R$55,33/dia evitado. A análise de qualidade de vida demonstrou que seguir a diretriz dominou o não seguimento propiciando um acréscimo de 8% de qualidade de vida e gerando uma economia de R$ 3.458,13 por QALY ganho. As análises de sensibilidade das RCEI e RCUI evidenciaram a robustez dos resultados, principalmente na variação do QALY, que mesmo após 60% de variabilidade garantiu economia para o sistema. Os resultados deste estudo forneceram informações sobre o uso de albumina humana em pacientes com síndrome nefrótica que podem juntamente com outros dados nortear as práticas de saúde no SUS do ponto de vista clinico e econômico. As análises econômicas indicaram que apresentam melhores relações de custo-efetividade e custo utilidade os tratamentos dos pacientes que seguiram as orientações da diretriz da ANVISA. / Human albumin (HA) is a drug widely used and of high cost that integrates the cast of special procedures of the Ministry of Health in Brazil. In 2004, ANVISA issued a resolution establishing guidelines for the therapeutic use of this drug. Although data from the literature suggest no definite conclusions about the real benefits of the use of albumin in the treatment of patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS), the guideline recommends the use in cases of edema refractory to diuretics. The aim of this study was to evaluate economic analyzes through the clinical indication of guideline for use of Human Albumin ANVISA, in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Economic analyzes of both cost-effectiveness and cost-utility types were performed from a concurrent cohort. The study population was composed of adult and pediatric patients hospitalized with nephrotic syndrome in four major public hospitals in the State of Bahia. The included patients were divided into two distinct groups according to whether ANVISA’s guidelines for use of human albumin were followed by them or not. The economic perspective of the analysis regarded the health care provider, the NHS. The quality of life data of the patients were obtained through application of generic questionnaires SF36 and CHQ - PF50. The QALY index (quality-adjusted life year) was used to assess cost-utility comparison. At the end of the study 109 patients were selected, consisting of 60% adults, 56 % females, over 80 % blacks and dark-skinned, where 41.3 % followed the guidelines of ANVISA. The overall average cost per hospitalization (22 days average) to the NHS was R$ 2.360/patient. The analyzed parameters, weight, urine volume, and fluid balance were more effective in terms of cost for patients who followed the guidelines. The ICER for days of hospitalization avoided showed an additional cost of R$55.33/avoided day. The quality of life analysis showed that the majority followed the guidelines providing an increase of 8 % for quality of life and generating savings of R$ 3,458.13 per QALY gained. Sensitivity analyzes of the ICER and ICUR showed the robustness of the results, especially the variation of the QALY, which even after 60% of variability guaranteed savings for the system. The results of this study provided information on the use of human albumin in patients with nephrotic syndrome that can, along with other data, guide health care practices in the NHS from both clinical and financial standpoints. The economic analyzes that show better the costeffectiveness and cost utility of treatment patients who followed the recommendations the guideline of ANVISA.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-06-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:52:16Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 quintana_nrg_me_botfca.pdf: 988588 bytes, checksum: da5688f095d40118648d17687e9019c9 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Neste estudo avaliou-se a dose economicamente adequada de lodo de esgoto (base seca) proveniente da ETE/Barueri empregada na cultura do milho. Para a obtenção dos dados, utilizaram-se relatórios gerados pela UNESP/Jaboticabal referente ao experimento realizado naquela unidade. A partir desses foram constituídas matrizes econômicas para quatro tratamentos, seguindo modelo de custos de produção do IEA/SAASP. O experimento, no qual este estudo baseou-se, foi instalado em Latossolos Vermelhos distrófico e eutroférrico, durante seis anos, sendo no primeiro ano adotado o cultivo convencional, posteriormente substituído por cultivo mínimo. Quatro tratamentos para os 2 tipos de solos (blocos casualizados; n = 5) foram realizados: T, sem fertilização no primeiro ano, e fertilização mineral nos anos subseqüentes; D1, aplicação de 2,5 t ha-1 de lodo de esgoto (base seca), nos três primeiros anos; substituída por 20,0 t ha-1 nos anos seguintes; D2, 5,0 t ha-1 de lodo de esgoto; D3, 10,0 t ha-1 de lodo de esgoto. Quando necessário, houve complementação mineral nos tratamentos D1 a D3. Para análise dos dados do presente estudo, o experimento foi dividido em duas fases: a primeira, anos 2 e 3, e a segunda, os três últimos anos, sendo cada ano considerado um bloco, devido alteração na dose em D1. Apenas os 2 dados da segunda fase foram considerados nas análises posteriores. Os dados foram comparados por análise de variância complementada por teste de Tukey e regressão quadrática (x=dose de lodo de esgoto e y=rentabilidade) para cada solo e rentabilidade (P<0,05). Além disso, calculou-se a distância máxima eficiente de transporte do lodo de esgoto, considerandose o custo do transporte pago pela geradora do resíduo ou pelos agricultores que o utilizam. Observou-se que a rentabilidade diferiu somente para as doses de lodo de esgoto. Obteve-se diferença... / In this study, it was assessed an economically feasible dose of sewage sludge (dry matter basis) from ETE/Barueri in sweet-corn culture. Data were obtained from reports of a previous experiment conducted in UNESP/ Jaboticabal (described below). It was composed worksheets concerning economical data for each treatment following a production trade-off template from IEA/SAASP. The experiment, wherein this study was based on, was performed on haplustox (RED LATOSSOL) and RED LATOSSOL typical eutrophyc, for about six years, divided into conventional cultivation just in the first year, and subsequently replaced by minimum cultivation. Four treatments took place for the 2 kinds of soil (two-way anova design; n = 5): T, no fertilizer added in the first year, and mineral fertilizing subsequently; D1, 2.5 t ha-1 of sewage sludge in the first three years; replaced by 20.0 t ha-1 subsequently; D2, 5.0 t ha-1 de sewage sludge; D3, 10.0 t ha-1 of sewage sludge; soil mineral enrichment was done when necessary for both D1 to D3 treatment. For data analysis of the present study, the experiment was divided into two phases: first one, comprising year 2 and 3, while second phase the last three years, each year was considered an experimental block, it was made due to alteration in the used dose for D1, however data of second phase only were considered for further analysis. Data were evaluated by ANOVA and post hoc compared by Tukey test, and quadratic regression (x = sewage sludge dose and y = yield) for each soil and yield (P<0.05). Moreover, it was calculated the maximum efficient distance for sewage sludge transportation, for this it was considered the cost for transporting spent by the generating source or by farmers who has used sewage sludge. Results indicate that yield was different just for sewage sludge dose. It was obtained statistical difference among control treatment and the 4 others... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Submitted by GUSTAVO MACIEL PIZZATO null (gustavopizzato@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-08-28T16:55:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - GPIZZATO_CAUNESP.pdf: 2983120 bytes, checksum: 7b85627b7257e65769af9dc1f32991b0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-08-29T17:49:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 pizzato_gm_me_jabo.pdf: 2983120 bytes, checksum: 7b85627b7257e65769af9dc1f32991b0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-29T17:49:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pizzato_gm_me_jabo.pdf: 2983120 bytes, checksum: 7b85627b7257e65769af9dc1f32991b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-30 / Outra / A piscicultura intensiva em tanques-rede alocados em reservatórios artificias é um modelo viável de produção, no qual o desenvolvimento da tilápia é favorecido. Porém, o manejo alimentar em tanques-rede merece atenção extra, visto a grande participação da ração no custo de produção. Estratégias alimentares que aliem bom desempenho produtivo ao menor custo são fundamentais para a lucratividade e o desenvolvimento da atividade. O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer um protocolo adequado de fornecimento de ração para tilápias em tanques-rede na fase de terminação que favorecesse o desempenho produtivo e econômico dos peixes. Avaliaram-se estratégias alimentares com utilização de um dia de jejum semanal, ajuste da quantidade de ração conforme o consumo em diferentes tempos de tolerância (cinco, 15 e 25 minutos) e um controle, com tabela de alimentação. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, esquema fatorial 2x3, com sete repetições para cada estratégia alimentar e seis para o controle. Ao final do experimento, o jejum reduziu em 15% o índice de gordura víscero somático dos peixes. A estratégia com ajuste da ração conforme observação do consumo após 15 minutos proporcionou maiores valores de peso final, ganho em peso e melhor conversão alimentar. Embora a utilização da tabela de alimentação tenha levado à menor produtividade, o menor custo operacional total (COT) nesta estratégia assegurou lucro operacional médio satisfatório. A adoção do jejum reduziu o custo com mão de obra, embora sem alterações importantes no COT, uma vez que tal prática proporcionou menores produtividades e pior conversão alimentar. Assim, conclui-se que a estratégia alimentar sem jejum semanal e com quantidade de ração ajustada conforme o consumo em 15 minutos gera maior produtividade e menor COT médio, garantindo o maior lucro operacional e margem bruta. / Intensive fish farm with cages placed in artificial reservoirs is an interesting production model, in which the tilapia development is favored. However, the feed management in cages deserves extra attention, considering the high ration participation in the production cost. Feed strategies that combine good productive performance at the lowest cost are essential to the profitability and development of the activity. The aim of this study was to establish an appropriated protocol for feed supply tilapia in cages at the finishing phase that provide better productive and economic performance. Feed strategies considered a weekly fasting day, adjustment of the daily feed according to the consumption in different tolerance periods (five, 15 and 25 minutes) and a control, feeding the fish according to a feeding table. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, 2x3 factorial scheme, with seven replicates for each feeding strategy and six for the control. At the end of the trial, the fasting reduced the visceral somatic index by 15%. The strategy that adjust the feed considering the consumption in 15 minutes provided higher values of final weight, weight gain and better feed conversion rate. Although the feed table led to lower productivity, the lower total operating cost (TOC) in this strategy ensured a good average operating profit. The adoption of fasting reduced labor cost, although without significant changes in TOC, since this practice provided lower productivity and worst feed conversion rate. Thus, it was concluded that the strategy without a weekly fasting and with the feed adjustment according to the consumption in 15 minutes provide higher productivity and lower average TOC, which ensure the highest operating profit and gross margin.