Excerpt: In this study, we triangulate the rankings in Table 1 with other measures of journal quality offered through database algorithms.

Introduction: Domestic research studies focused on the interrelationships between political ideology characteristics inherent in policy decisions and the contributions these political determinants exert over health indicators and outcomes are limited. Given the paucity of research that focuses on political and policy support of health at the county-level, this study sets out to utilize the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s (UWPHI) annual County Health Rankings data and examine them within the context of county-based majority political partisanship and economic measures. Methods: This exploratory ecological study examined differences between independent variables: partisan voting behavior (trichotomized as conservative, moderate, and liberal) and median per capita household income in U.S. dollars (by quartile) on dependent variables related to mortality (years of productive life lost) and morbidity (number of poor mental and physical health days) at the county-level to compare differences in political and ideological underpinnings that may act as influencers on health outcomes. Multiple data sources were combined and matched to all 3,140 counties located in the U.S. Two-way between-subjects ANOVA statistical tests were conducted to determine if there is an effect of partisan voter index category on the three aforementioned dependent variables related to health outcomes, and median per capita income by quartile. Results: There was a statistically significant main interaction between median per capita household income by quartile and partisan voter index category on years of productive life lost, F(6,2789) = 19.3, p < .000, partial η2 = .040. While there were also statistically significant interactions between the independent and dependent variables of poor mental and physical health days, results of those analyses should be interpreted with caution. Pertaining to years of productive life lost, post hoc analyses of significant interactions revealed significant differences at the lower income quartile, but not in the expected direction. The conservative category had statistically significant lower years of productive life lost in comparison to the liberal category (M = -8.21, SE = 1.47, p = .000). Also, there were significant differences detected in the upper quartile suggesting that the liberal category has lower years of productive life lost in comparison to the conservative category (M = 7.06, SE = 1.06, p = .000). Conclusion: Results should be interpreted with caution and suggest more research and methodological refinements are needed, particularly related to categorizing county-level political dynamics.

Introduction: Domestic research studies focused on the interrelationships between political ideology characteristics inherent in policy decisions and the contributions these political determinants exert over health indicators and outcomes are limited. Given the paucity of research that focuses on political and policy support of health at the county-level, this study sets out to utilize the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s (UWPHI) annual County Health Rankings data and examine them within the context of county-based majority political partisanship and economic measures. Methods: This exploratory ecological study examined differences between independent variables: partisan voting behavior (trichotomized as conservative, moderate, and liberal) and median per capita household income in U.S. dollars (by quartile) on dependent variables related to mortality (years of productive life lost) and morbidity (number of poor mental and physical health days) at the county-level to compare differences in political and ideological underpinnings that may act as influencers on health outcomes. Multiple data sources were combined and matched to all 3,140 counties located in the U.S. Two-way between-subjects ANOVA statistical tests were conducted to determine if there is an effect of partisan voter index category on the three aforementioned dependent variables related to health outcomes, and median per capita income by quartile. Results: There was a statistically significant main interaction between median per capita household income by quartile and partisan voter index category on years of productive life lost, F(6,2789) = 19.3, p < .000, partial η2 = .040. While there were also statistically significant interactions between the independent and dependent variables of poor mental and physical health days, results of those analyses should be interpreted with caution. Pertaining to years of productive life lost, post hoc analyses of significant interactions revealed significant differences at the lower income quartile, but not in the expected direction. The conservative category had statistically significant lower years of productive life lost in comparison to the liberal category (M = -8.21, SE = 1.47, p = .000). Also, there were significant differences detected in the upper quartile suggesting that the liberal category has lower years of productive life lost in comparison to the conservative category (M = 7.06, SE = 1.06, p = .000). Conclusion: Results should be interpreted with caution and suggest more research and methodological refinements are needed, particularly related to categorizing county-level political dynamics.

Following the early days of the Internet and the World Wide Web, news media in Canada have gone on to develop their own news web sites with the intentions of meeting the on-line needs of media audiences, expanding their audience reach, and adding to revenue production and profitability on- and off-line. Web strategies have varied somewhat across the different media, but anecdotal evidence suggests that sports contents have been important for both print and television. This thesis focused on the latter, sports contents on television network websites, and was undertaken to evaluate how Canadian television stations are utilizing the Internet and web technologies to feature sports news and information. Only a few studies specific to sports television web sites have been done, and these have mainly focused on American news stations. The research objective of the thesis was to systematically examine the web presence of sports contents on Canadian television web sites by conducting a content analysis of identifiably unique sites in the Canadian context. A site analysis protocol was developed through an iterative process. An initial instrument was constructed drawing on past research in this area. In particular, prior work by Bates et al. (1996 & 1997), Pines (1999), Bucy, Lang, Potter & Grabe (1999), Sparks (2001) provided systematic measures for examiriirig the Web presence of television stations. Ha & James's definition of interactivity (1998) was also useful as was the work of Cho (1999), Rogers & Thorson (2000) on Internet advertising. The initial instrument was evaluated and modified during a series of trial scans. The final instrument focused on five areas: body of the home page, types of content, presentation mechanisms, interactivity and advertising. A systematic site analysis was conducted from August to October, 2003, and a total of twenty-one sports home pages were analyzed. Three web sites (TSN, Leafs TV and The Score) were found to have a good balance in the five areas evaluated in the study. The results of independent-samples t-tests showed that general television networks had more sports top news and hyperlinks to other news items than sport specialty networks. By comparison, sports specialty networks tended to have more sport-related search engines and greater efficiency of space. CBC's "Sports Forums" that were configured on its sports home page gave the public broadcaster the highest quotient for interactivity in comparison with the twenty private networks and stations in the study. Advertising was present in all of the sites, and the findings point to an increasing interest in the televisual and sport web site media in producing revenue through web-based advertising.

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-11T13:42:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 YURI DANTAS DOS SANTOS - DISSERTAÇÃO (PROFIAP-CCJS) 2016.pdf: 2504702 bytes, checksum: e47255e34c14d4ac3f5ac245abf1778d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-11T13:42:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 YURI DANTAS DOS SANTOS - DISSERTAÇÃO (PROFIAP-CCJS) 2016.pdf: 2504702 bytes, checksum: e47255e34c14d4ac3f5ac245abf1778d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-16 / Diante da importância da educação na formação cidadã e profissional, faz-se necessário que os recursos empregados nessa área sejam utilizados de forma eficiente. Este trabalho procura responder ao seguinte problema de pesquisa: qual a eficiência dos municípios do Seridó Potiguar quanto aos seus gastos com educação no âmbito do ensino fundamental? A partir do qual, traçou-se como objetivo geral: analisar a eficiência dos gastos municipais em educação, no nível do ensino fundamental, no contexto do Seridó Potiguar. A pesquisa classificou-se como: descritiva, quanto aos objetivos; pesquisa documental, quanto aos procedimentos utilizados; e quantitativa, quanto à abordagem do problema. Os sujeitos da investigação foram os 25 municípios do Seridó – Rio Grande do Norte, referentes aos quais foram extraídos 14 indicadores, distribuídos em três dimensões alusivas: ao financiamento da educação, aos recursos educacionais não financeiros e ao desempenho do aluno. Por falta de dados, 5 municípios foram excluídos do estudo. Utilizando-se do método PROMETHEE II, de apoio multicritério à decisão, foram constituídos índices representativos de cada uma das três dimensões e índices que permitem visualizar a eficiência em educação sob quatro perspectivas distintas. Os resultados quanto ao Índice de Eficiência Bruta do Gasto com Educação (IEBGE) revelaram que os municípios mais eficientes em prover recursos educacionais não financeiros estiveram entre os últimos no financiamento do ensino fundamental. Por outro lado, os menos eficientes ficaram entre os primeiros no ranking do financiamento, revelando que somente aplicar recursos não torna o município eficiente. Quanto ao Índice de Eficiência Líquida do Gasto com Educação (IELGE), evidenciou-se que os municípios mais eficientes em conseguir desempenho de seus alunos ocuparam posições medianas no ranking do financiamento, indicando que a aplicação de recursos, em certa medida, é importante para que o município seja eficiente. Pelo Índice de Eficiência na Operacionalização dos Recursos Educacionais Não Financeiros (IEORENF), percebeu-se que municípios eficientes em ofertar tais recursos não necessariamente o são em termos de geri-lo de modo a proporcionar o aprendizado do discente. Por fim, no Índice de Eficiência Total do Gasto com Educação (IETGE), os municípios mais eficientes também ocuparam posições intermediárias no ranking do financiamento da educação, confirmando a inferência de que certa quantidade de gastos é benéfica à eficiência dos municípios, todavia, o principal está na forma como esses recursos são utilizados. Já os municípios menos eficientes estiveram entre os que mais financiaram o ensino fundamental, endossando a afirmativa de que somente efetuar gastos não melhora a eficiência. Acrescente-se que somente realizar gastos não melhora o desempenho do aluno, pois se identifica que estes mesmos municípios também são os últimos no ranking do desempenho do aluno. O estudo apresentou como limitação o fato de propor um novo modelo de indicadores, carecendo de uma maior aplicação a fim de ser validado. Por fim, propõe-se a replicação da pesquisa ampliando o espaço temporal e a quantidade de municípios, bem como a análise da influência de fatores externos sobre a educação. / Given the importance of education in civic and vocational training, it is necessary that the resources employed in this area are used efficiently. This paper seeks to answer the following research problem: what the efficiency of the municipalities of Seridó Potiguar about their spending on education within the elementary school? From which, if traced the general objective: to analyze the efficiency of municipal spending on education in the elementary school level, in the context of Seridó Potiguar. The survey ranked as descriptive, as the objectives; survey and documentary research, as the procedures used; and quantitative, on the approach to the problem. The subjects of the research were the 25 municipalities of Seridó - Rio Grande do Norte, concerning which were taken from 14 indicators, divided into three allusive dimensions: the financing of education, non-financial educational resources and student achievement. For lack of data, five municipalities were excluded. Using the PROMETHEE II method of multi-criteria decision support, were recognized representative indices of each of the three dimensions and indexes that let you see the efficiency in education from four perspectives distintas. Os results regarding the Expenditure Gross Efficiency Ratio with Education (EGERE) revealed that the most efficient municipalities in providing nonfinancial educational resources were among the last in the financing of primary education. On the other hand, the least efficient were among the first in the ranking of financing, revealing that only apply resources does not make efficient municipality. As for Expenditure Net Efficiency Ratio with Education (ENERE), it showed that the most efficient municipalities in achieving performance of his students occupied middle positions in the ranking of funding, indicating that the application of resources to some extent, it is important to that the municipality is efficient. The Efficiency Ratio in the Operationalization of Non-Financial Educational Resources (ERONFER), it was noted that efficient municipalities in offering such resources are not necessarily in terms of manage it to provide the learning of the student. Finally, in the Total Efficiency Index Spending on Education (TEISE), the most efficient municipalities also occupied intermediate positions in the ranking of education funding, confirming the inference that a certain amount of spending is beneficial to the efficiency of municipalities, however, the main is in how these resources are used. Already the least efficient municipalities were among the more funded elementary school, endorsing the statement that only make expenditures does not improve efficiency. Adding that only hold spending does not improve student achievement, as it identifies these same municipalities are also the last in the ranking of student performance. The study had as limitation the fact of proposing a new model of indicators, lacking a larger application in order to be validated. Finally, research replication is proposed extending the timeline and the number of municipalities, as well as the analysis of the influence of external factors on education.

Submitted by Beatriz Abreu (beatrizabreu@fgvmail.br) on 2016-08-29T18:33:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_MsC_Dissertação de Beatriz Abreu Foss de Oliveira.pdf: 1421679 bytes, checksum: 27c4f7c2d081c9676080d14bdd3e2cc2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁUREA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2016-08-30T20:08:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_MsC_Dissertação de Beatriz Abreu Foss de Oliveira.pdf: 1421679 bytes, checksum: 27c4f7c2d081c9676080d14bdd3e2cc2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Almeida (maria.socorro@fgv.br) on 2016-09-02T13:26:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_MsC_Dissertação de Beatriz Abreu Foss de Oliveira.pdf: 1421679 bytes, checksum: 27c4f7c2d081c9676080d14bdd3e2cc2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-02T13:27:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_MsC_Dissertação de Beatriz Abreu Foss de Oliveira.pdf: 1421679 bytes, checksum: 27c4f7c2d081c9676080d14bdd3e2cc2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-31 / Rankings are a recent tool being used in several fields, including in management. Their pervasive use is associated to the fields of behavior and decision making. Despite their constant usage, few research have tried to define the concept of ranking and the parameters to judge whether it is acceptable. In absence of a more precise understanding of what the term ranking means, its power is diminished as well as its purpose. Thus, in this work I present the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of rankings. Further, I analyze patterns of behavior elicited in real rankings. To this end, I propose the use of simulated annealing to study the quality of convergence of rankings’ chosen dimensions. The graphical analyses suggest, at least, two different patterns of convergence for rankings. The categories were named after well behaved and poorly behaved rankings.

Os rankings musicais destinam-se principalmente a fins de marketing, mas também ajudam os usuários a descobrir novas músicas, bem como a comparar artistas, álbuns, etc. Este trabalho apresenta uma ferramenta interativa para visualizar, encontrar e comparar rankings musicais usando diferentes técnicas além de exibir atributos das músicas. A técnica foi concebida após uma pesquisa remota que coletou dados sobre como as pessoas escolhem música. As técnicas de visualização tornam mais fácil obter informações sobre artistas e faixas, e também comparar os dados obtidos a partir dos dois principais rankings de música, Billboard e Spotify. A ferrament também permite a interação com dados pessoais. Resultados de experimentos conduzidos com usuários potenciais mostraram que a ferramenta foi considerada interessante, com um layout atrativo. Comparando com as formas tradicionais de visualizar rankings de músicas, usuários preferiram a ferramenta aqui desenvolvida, mas a diferença para Billboard e Spotify não foi grande. Entretanto, quando avaliada a usabilidade da ferramenta, os resultados foram melhores, principalmente no que se refere à filtragem e às técnicas de comparação. MusicVis foi também considerado fácil de aprender. / Music rankings are mainly aimed at marketing purposes but also help users in discovering new music as well as comparing songs, artists, albums, etc. This work presents an interactive way to visualize, find and compare music rankings using different techniques, including the display of music attributes. The technique was conceived after a remote survey we conducted to collect data about how people choose music. Our visualization makes easier to obtain information about artists and tracks, and also to compare the data gathered from the two major music rankings, namely Billboard and Spotify. The tool also provides interaction with personal data. The results obtained from experiments with potential users showed that the tool was considered interesting, with an attractive layout. Compared to traditional music ranking tools users preferred ours, but with not such a large difference from using Billboard or Spotify. However, when evaluating the usability of our tool, results are positive, mainly concerning to data filtering and comparison features. MusicVis was also considered easy to learn.

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-03T18:27:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMVV.pdf: 2718127 bytes, checksum: 18d42256c6c4eaa84c2dd493edefcbd3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T17:24:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMVV.pdf: 2718127 bytes, checksum: 18d42256c6c4eaa84c2dd493edefcbd3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T17:25:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMVV.pdf: 2718127 bytes, checksum: 18d42256c6c4eaa84c2dd493edefcbd3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-10T17:25:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissMVV.pdf: 2718127 bytes, checksum: 18d42256c6c4eaa84c2dd493edefcbd3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / Não recebi financiamento / To analyze the scientific production of the professors of a private institution of higher education, some variables can be identifyed and discussions can be developed. To this end it is necessary to understand the professional profile of professors who work at the institution, object of study, and the Lattes platform proves to be the most effective tool to collect information about these professionals. The Lattes platform is the main scientific information system in Brazil, integrating academic curricula of public and private institutions in a single platform, allowing management of curricular information of institutions and researchers. But the platform does not perform automated compilation of data from certain groups. Thus, it was use the ScriptLattes tool, which synthesizes in simplified form potential indicators to demonstrate the relationship not just a group of researchers, but different groups of interest. In examining the Group of professors from the institution used as a case study in this work (UNI_X), can be noted interesting indicators of professional as well as academic characterization; at the same time the scientific literature produced by these professors, whether in the institution itself or in other institutions, where vast majority owned or has bond in graduate programs. Updating of curricula, as well as the correct completion of data on its platform, are proving to be an important indicator as well as the correlation between the published works and without mention of the institution in which these are employee. So we tried to raise discussions on the topic, for better understanding and the deepening about the problem. In this way, an analysis was performed of the professors of a top private institution, through some indicators and, among them, the scientific production. This analysis enabled the development of discussions on the importance of scientific production for private institutions, because it is believed that most of these teachers do not mention the institution in scientific works. In addition, some approaches have been raised through rankings and discussions of the STS field, generating reflections on the subject. / Ao analisar as produções científicas dos docentes de uma instituição de ensino superior privada, entende-se que diversos indicadores e discussões podem ser desenvolvidos. Para tanto se faz necessário compreender o perfil profissional dos professores que atuam na instituição, objeto de estudo, e a plataforma Lattes demonstra ser o local mais eficaz para coletar informações a respeito destes profissionais. A plataforma é o principal sistema de informação científica do Brasil, integrando currículos acadêmicos de instituições públicas e privadas em uma única plataforma, permitindo gerir a informação curricular das instituições e pesquisadores. Mas a respectiva plataforma não realiza de forma automatizada a compilação de dados de determinados grupos, assim utilizou-se a ferramenta ScriptLattes, que sintetiza de forma simplificada, indicadores de potencial, para demonstrar o relacionamento não de apenas um grupo de pesquisadores, mas diversos grupos de interesse. Ao analisar o grupo de professores da instituição utilizada como estudo de caso neste trabalho (UNI_X), pode-se notar interessantes indicadores de caracterização profissional, bem como acadêmico; ao mesmo tempo a produção científica produzida por estes docentes, seja na própria instituição, seja em outras instituições, onde grande maioria possuiu ou possui vinculo em programas de pós-graduação. A atualização dos currículos, bem como o correto preenchimento dos dados na respectiva plataforma, demonstram ser um importante indicador, bem como a correlação existente entre os trabalhos publicados e sem menção da instituição no qual estes docentes possuem vínculo. Assim procurou-se levantar discussões sobre o tema, para melhor compreensão e possibilitar o aprofundamento sobre a problemática. Desta forma, foi realizada uma análise do quadro de docentes de uma instituição superior privada, através de alguns indicadores e, entre eles, a produção científica. Esta análise possibilitou o desenvolvimento de discussões sobre a importância da produção científica para instituições privadas, pois acredita-se que grande parte destes docentes não mencionam a instituição que atuam. Além disso, foram levantadas algumas abordagens através de rankings e discussões do campo CTS, gerando reflexões sobre o tema.

CAPES / Recentemente, alguns sistemas estão sendo transferidos para a plataforma web. Muitos serviços e aplicações, incluindo sistemas de simulação e planejamento de energia e sistemas de automação, são desenvolvidos com interfaces baseadas na Internet. A usabilidade é a principal característica de uma interface e está associada com as funcionalidades de um sitema. Ela descreve o quão bem um produto pode ser utilizado para os fins propostos por seus usuários com eficácia, eficiência e satisfação. Este trabalho apresenta a aplicação de técnicas de Reconhecimento de Padrões na detecção e classificação automática de problemas de usabilidade na interface de um sistema web. O foco inicial do trabalho é centrado na identificação de possíveis problemas de usabilidade em formulários web. Os potenciais problemas de usabilidade do formulário web são definidos a partir das recomendações descritas na literatura. As tarefas realizadas pelo usuário são obtidas através da análise da interação do usuário armazenada em arquivos de log. A classificação de quais tarefas são realizadas conforme o esperado e quais são consideradas potenciais problemas de usabilidade é realizada através de uma Rede Neural Artificial. / Recently, some systems have been transferred to the web-based platform. Many services and applications, including those of power systems simulating and planning and automation systems, are developed with Internet-based interface. Usability is mainly a characteristic of the interface and is associated with the functionalities of the systems. It describes how well a product can be used for its intended purpose by its users with efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. This paper presents the application of pattern recognition techniques in automatic detection and classification of usability problems in the interface of a web system. The initial focus of this work is focused on identifying potential usability problems in web forms. The potential usability problems of the web form are defined based on the recommendations described in the literature. The tasks performed by the user are obtained through analysis of user interaction stored in log files. The classification of tasks which are performed as expected and what are considered potential usability problems is performed by an Artificial Neural Network.

CAPES / Recentemente, alguns sistemas estão sendo transferidos para a plataforma web. Muitos serviços e aplicações, incluindo sistemas de simulação e planejamento de energia e sistemas de automação, são desenvolvidos com interfaces baseadas na Internet. A usabilidade é a principal característica de uma interface e está associada com as funcionalidades de um sitema. Ela descreve o quão bem um produto pode ser utilizado para os fins propostos por seus usuários com eficácia, eficiência e satisfação. Este trabalho apresenta a aplicação de técnicas de Reconhecimento de Padrões na detecção e classificação automática de problemas de usabilidade na interface de um sistema web. O foco inicial do trabalho é centrado na identificação de possíveis problemas de usabilidade em formulários web. Os potenciais problemas de usabilidade do formulário web são definidos a partir das recomendações descritas na literatura. As tarefas realizadas pelo usuário são obtidas através da análise da interação do usuário armazenada em arquivos de log. A classificação de quais tarefas são realizadas conforme o esperado e quais são consideradas potenciais problemas de usabilidade é realizada através de uma Rede Neural Artificial. / Recently, some systems have been transferred to the web-based platform. Many services and applications, including those of power systems simulating and planning and automation systems, are developed with Internet-based interface. Usability is mainly a characteristic of the interface and is associated with the functionalities of the systems. It describes how well a product can be used for its intended purpose by its users with efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. This paper presents the application of pattern recognition techniques in automatic detection and classification of usability problems in the interface of a web system. The initial focus of this work is focused on identifying potential usability problems in web forms. The potential usability problems of the web form are defined based on the recommendations described in the literature. The tasks performed by the user are obtained through analysis of user interaction stored in log files. The classification of tasks which are performed as expected and what are considered potential usability problems is performed by an Artificial Neural Network.