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From time to time the court delivers a judgment that has a ripple effect beyond what was expected, resulting in estate planners reconsidering their planning strategies. Such a judgment was the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in the case of the Commissioner for the South African Revenue Services v Brummeria Renaissance 2007 6 SA 601 (SCA) (Brummeria case). In this case the interest-free loan and the right to use loan capital free of any interest obligation were under scrutiny. The SCA had to rule on whether or not this right had a determinable value and whether or not this value could be taxable in the hands of the borrower. The SCA ruled that the right under an interest-free loan should be included in the gross income of the borrower. Since estate planning often involves the use of an interest-free loan, as estate planning tool, to remove a growth asset from the estate of a planner, it could not be generally accepted any more that the granting of such loan would not have any tax implications. Although the interest-free loans used in the Brummeria case, did not relate to an estate planning exercise, the ruling resulted in much speculation regarding the future of the interest-free loan as estate planning tool. SARS tried to ease the uncertainty by issuing Interpretation Note 58, but there is still uncertainty to some extent. The focus of this mini-dissertation is to explain when and to what extend the provisions of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 (ITA) as well as the Estate Duty Act 45 of 1955 (EDA) will apply to the granting of an interest-free loan as part of an estate planning exercise. The provisions of the gross income definition, sections 7 and 64E, the provisions of donations tax as well as paragraph 12(5) and 12A of the Eighth Schedule to the ITA, were explored. Sections 3(3) and 3(5) of the EDA are discussed with the use of these loans for estate planning in mind. The question whether or not the interest-free loan is still a useful estate planning tool is also answered. / LLM (Estate Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

From time to time the court delivers a judgment that has a ripple effect beyond what was expected, resulting in estate planners reconsidering their planning strategies. Such a judgment was the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in the case of the Commissioner for the South African Revenue Services v Brummeria Renaissance 2007 6 SA 601 (SCA) (Brummeria case). In this case the interest-free loan and the right to use loan capital free of any interest obligation were under scrutiny. The SCA had to rule on whether or not this right had a determinable value and whether or not this value could be taxable in the hands of the borrower. The SCA ruled that the right under an interest-free loan should be included in the gross income of the borrower. Since estate planning often involves the use of an interest-free loan, as estate planning tool, to remove a growth asset from the estate of a planner, it could not be generally accepted any more that the granting of such loan would not have any tax implications. Although the interest-free loans used in the Brummeria case, did not relate to an estate planning exercise, the ruling resulted in much speculation regarding the future of the interest-free loan as estate planning tool. SARS tried to ease the uncertainty by issuing Interpretation Note 58, but there is still uncertainty to some extent. The focus of this mini-dissertation is to explain when and to what extend the provisions of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 (ITA) as well as the Estate Duty Act 45 of 1955 (EDA) will apply to the granting of an interest-free loan as part of an estate planning exercise. The provisions of the gross income definition, sections 7 and 64E, the provisions of donations tax as well as paragraph 12(5) and 12A of the Eighth Schedule to the ITA, were explored. Sections 3(3) and 3(5) of the EDA are discussed with the use of these loans for estate planning in mind. The question whether or not the interest-free loan is still a useful estate planning tool is also answered. / LLM (Estate Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Um estudo comparativo entre os principais modelos empíricos e semi-empíricos de predição de nível de sinal para comunicações móveis celulares é descrito neste trabalho. Medidas de cobertura outdoor em ambiente urbano foram comparadas com os resultados simulados a partir dos modelos de Okumura-Hata e Lee, lkegami, Walfisch-Bertoni e Walfisch-Ikegami. As medidas de potência de sinal recebido foram realizadas na cidade de Conceição das Alagoas, MG, a partir da única estação rádio-base (ERB) da cidade, operando na banda A com tecnologia AMPS/TDMA. Foi utilizada como portadora de teste o canal de controle analógico 328. As informações foram coletadas em algumas ruas da cidade, por meio de equipamento instalado em veículo, em diferentes posicionamentos em relação a ERB, de forma a se obter amostras de cobertura em diferentes cenários, seja em visada direta, em obstrução parcial ou total. O modelo de Ikegami se mostrou apropriado para predição de níveis de sinal recebido no ambiente estudado, apresentando desvio médio 5,81 dB em relação às medidas realizadas. / A comparative study among the main empiric and semi-empiric models of prediction of signal leveI for cellular mobile communications is described in this work. Measurements of covering outdoor in an urban environment were compared to the simulated results from the models of Okumura-Hata, Lee, Ikegami, Walfisch-Bertoni and Walfisch-Ikegami. The measurements of received signal level were accomplished in some streets of the city of Conceição das Alagoas, MG, starting from the only radio base station of the city, operating in the A band with AMPS/TDMA technology. The 328-analog control channel was used as test carrier. The measurements were carried out using some equipment installed in a vehicle, in different positions in relation to the radio base station, in order to obtain covering profile in different circunstances such as line-of-sight, non line-of-sight, and partial obstruction. The model of Ikegami was shown appropriate for prediction of the received signal levels in the studied environment, exhibiting an average deviation of 5,81 dB in relation to the accomplished measurements.

Ce travail d'investigation est fondé sur une analyse discursive des notions de race et de classe sociale dans la production narrative de l'écrivaine Marvel Moreno, née à Barranquilla. Dans un premier temps, il a été nécessaire de déterminer les antécédents du sujet pour pouvoir, ensuite, élaborer un corpus de récits qui rendent compte de ces deux notions. Nous avons finalement reconstruit le code raciste et le code social de l'œuvre à travers l'étude de termes comme racisme, noir, métis, mulâtre, blanc, noir, aristocratie, décadent, bourgeois, parvenu ou nouveau riche et classe moyenne. La pertinence de cette étude est validée par l'absence, jusqu'à aujourd'hui, d'un travail qui explique, à partir de l'œuvre, de la théorie littéraire et de l'histoire colombienne, les préjugés et stéréotypes au sein de la société décrite par l'écrivaine. D'un point de vue méthodologique, nous avons analysé les opinions exprimées par les voix narratives lorsqu'elles décrivent et qualifient les personnages et les situations. Par conséquent, nous avons démontré que dans l'univers fictif de l'auteure, les idées reçues depuis la Colonie façonnent les modes de pensée et les relations de la haute société de Barranquilla, société raciste et discriminante. / The present research establishes an analysis of the discourse and narrative of the Barranquillan author Marvel Moreno. First, it was necessary to determine the background investigation on the same topic to be able to later elaborate a corpus which took into account the maximum of value judgments about the two notions, consequently. Finally, the reconstruction of the terms racist-code and social-code of the author’s literature, was reconstructed in accordance with the theoretical definitions as well as with the literature itself, analyzing terms such as racism, race, black person or negro, half blood, mulatto, white person, “down at heel person”, an upstart person or parvenu and middle class, aristocracy and bourgeoisie. The pertinent of this study is therefore justified by the absence so far of another study that treats the same chosen narratives and discourses used by the author to explain the social conflict in the fictional Barranquilla. From a methodological point of view, the goal was to see how narrators and characters judge and were judged. Consequently, it was demonstrated that the narrative voices focus on describe the social and racial codes belonging to the upper class, which at the same time and through their prejudices construct the rest of the society validating in this way the elite’s racist and excluding identity. / La presente indagine consiste in un’analisi discorsiva delle nozioni di razza e di classe sociale nella narrativa di Marvel Moreno, scrittrice di Barranquilla. In un primo momento è stato necessario determinare gli antecedenti dei due temi, per poi stabilire un corpus di racconti che ne trattano. Infine, si sono ricostruiti il codice razzista e il codice sociale dell’opera attraverso lo studio di termini come razzismo, razza, meticcio, mulatto, bianco, negro, aristocrazia, borghesia, fallito, arricchito, nuovo ricco e classe media. L’importanza di questa ricerca è avvalorata dall’assenza, fino ad oggi, di un lavoro che chiarisca i pregiudizi e gli stereotipi della società rappresentata dall’autrice a partire dall’opera stessa, dalla teoria letteraria e dalla storia colombiana. Da un punto di vista metodologico si sono analizzate le opinioni delle voci narranti per descrivere e qualificare personaggi e situazioni. Di conseguenza, si è dimostrato che, all’interno dell’universo fittizio dell’autrice, le ideologie ereditate dal periodo coloniale configurano modalità di pensiero e relazioni di potere nella società.

nÃo hà / O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a PolÃtica de AssistÃncia Social voltada para crianÃas e adolescentes que estÃo em Acolhimento Institucional, especificamente, aquelas extintas do poder familiar, destituÃdos do poder familiar ou em processo de destituiÃÃo do poder familiar e tambÃm fora dos âpadrÃesâ vigentes de adoÃÃo, na perspectiva do direito à convivÃncia familiar e comunitÃria. Para realizar tal estudo desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa de campo no desenho de um estudo de caso, tendo em vista que o universo a ser avaliado foi a entidade de acolhimento institucional para crianÃas e adolescentes â Sociedade para o Bem Estar da FamÃlia â SOBEF, localizada no municÃpio de Maracanaà - CE. Foram utilizadas as seguintes tÃcnicas: entrevista formal e aberta aplicada a trÃs profissionais; observaÃÃo participante com crianÃas e adolescentes acolhidos; questionÃrio aplicado com a gestora do equipamento; levantamento nos registros da instituiÃÃo e participaÃÃo em rodas de conversas com os acolhidos. A pesquisa bibliogrÃfica contribuiu para o aprofundamento das categorias analÃticas e fundantes da pesquisa; a pesquisa documental para formataÃÃo do histÃrico institucional e a pesquisa de campo, qualiquantitativa como forma de traÃar um perfil dos meninos e meninas acolhidos. Neste sentido, a avaliaÃÃo proposta foi quali-quantitativa. Especificamente quanto à anÃlise qualitativa, esta foi do tipo formativa e/ou de processo, tendo em vista o foco abordado neste trabalho. Jà o mÃtodo a ser utilizado foi o de interpretaÃÃo de sentidos, verificando a anÃlise da implementaÃÃo da PolÃtica de AssistÃncia Social referente à execuÃÃo do Programa de Acolhimento Institucional para crianÃas e adolescentes. Quanto à pesquisa quantitativa, houve uma anÃlise estatÃstica descritiva dos acolhidos, contribuindo para a caracterizaÃÃo do pÃblico alvo. As conclusÃes podem ser descritas da seguinte maneira: as crianÃas e adolescentes acolhidos, mesmo diante de vÃrios avanÃos legais estÃo ou continuam imersos em uma realidade contraditÃria de (des) garantias de direitos versus o sonho de possuir uma famÃlia e com isso sair da situaÃÃo de acolhimento institucional. / This study aims assess Assistance Policy Social facing Children and Adolescents are Reception Institutional specifically those extinct power family, destitute power family or process disempowering familiar and also outside "patterns "existing adoption in perspective right to familiar and communitarian. To accomplish such will held fieldwork where will considered will: case study considering that universe being evaluated will municipality Maracanaà primarily entity host institutional Child and adolescents - Sociedade for Wellness of Family - SOBEF which composes network provider service referred municipality and System Guaranteeing Rights; interview formal and open applied three professionals serve for collecting information, concerning activities developed in present, as about future prospects perceived by these actors; participant observation with children and adolescents welcomed assuming here one active participation researcher in meanders activities; the administered questionnaire with managing equipment help at outlining children and adolescents welcomed and own institution together abstracting thereof not understanding and appropriation of normative existing, towards warranty conviviality family and community of welcomed; bibliographical research that help deepening categories analytical and founding research; documental research for possible formatting history institutional; besides analyzing quantitative data also be harvested by documental analysis available by institution as way to chart profile boys and girls welcomed as also through data sites official dealing object and their contexts social-familial. This sense evaluation proposal is quali-quantitative and will performed evaluation process in view focus approached this work. Already method utilized be to interpreting senses checking analysis implementation Policy Welfare regarding executing programs host institutional juveniles; measuring quali-quantitatively as running service host institutional performed by SOBEF, municipality MaracanaÃ; assess knowledge and implementing strategies that professionals are finding social inclusion children and adolescents welcomed; verify compliance new laws about programs host institutional; assess whether teenagers welcomed being prepared for shutdown institution; and finally evaluate effectiveness skills among network actors attendance involving host institutional conducted by SOBEF in reference direction and counter. The conclusion can be described in this way: The sheltered children and adolescents, even facing a lot of legal advances are or continue immersed in a contradictory reality of non-guarantees of right against the dream of having a family and leave this situation.

Οι πρόσφατες εξελίξεις στις ασύρματες επικοινωνίες και στα ηλεκτρονικά κυκλώματα έχουν επιτρέψει την ανάπτυξη υπολογιστικών διατάξεων χαμηλού κόστους και χαμηλής κατανάλωσης ισχύος, οι οποίες ενσωματώνουν δυνατότητες μέτρησης (sensing), επεξεργασίας και ασύρματης επικοινωνίας. Οι διατάξεις αυτές, οι οποίες έχουν ιδιαίτερα μικρό μέγεθος, καλούνται κόμβοι αισθητήρες. Ένα ασύρματο δίκτυο κόμβων αισθητήρων αποτελείται από ένα πλήθος κόμβων οι οποίοι έχουν αναπτυχθεί σε κάποια περιοχή ενδιαφέροντος προκειμένου να μετρούν κάποια μεταβλητή του περιβάλλοντος. Ανάμεσα σε πολλές εφαρμογές, ο εντοπισμός και η παρακολούθηση των θέσεων πηγών οι οποίες εκπέμπουν κάποιο σήμα (π.χ. ακουστικό, ηλεκτρομαγνητικό) αποτελεί ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον θέμα, το οποίο μάλιστα μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί και ως βάση για τη μελέτη άλλων προβλημάτων τα οποία εμφανίζονται στα ασύρματα δίκτυα αισθητήρων. Οι περισσότερες από τις υπάρχουσες τεχνικές εντοπισμού θέσης μιας πηγής από μια συστοιχία αισθητήρων μπορούν να ταξινομηθούν σε δυο κατηγορίες: (α) Τις τεχνικές οι οποίες χρησιμοποιούν μετρήσεις διεύθυνσης άφιξης (Direction of Arrival, DOA) και (β) τις τεχνικές οι οποίες χρησιμοποιούν μετρήσεις διαφοράς χρόνων άφιξης (Time Difference of Arrival, TDOA). Ωστόσο, οι τεχνικές αυτές απαιτούν υψηλό ρυθμό δειγματοληψίας και ακριβή συγχρονισμό των κόμβων και δε συνάδουν έτσι με τις περιορισμένες ικανότητες των κόμβων αισθητήρων. Για τους λόγους αυτούς, το ενδιαφέρον έχει στραφεί σε μια τρίτη κατηγορία τεχνικών οι οποίες χρησιμοποιούν μετρήσεις ισχύος (Received Signal Strength, RSS). Το πρόβλημα του εντοπισμού θέσης χρησιμοποιώντας μετρήσεις ισχύος είναι ένα πρόβλημα εκτίμησης, όπου οι μετρήσεις συνδέονται με τις προς εκτίμηση παραμέτρους με μη-γραμμικό τρόπο. Στα πλαίσια της Διδακτορικής Διατριβής ασχολούμαστε αρχικά με την περίπτωση όπου επιθυμούμε να εκτιμήσουμε τη θέση και την ισχύ μιας πηγής χρησιμοποιώντας μετρήσεις ισχύος οι οποίες φθίνουν με βάση το αντίστροφο του τετραγώνου της απόστασης ανάμεσα στην πηγή και το σημείο μέτρησης. Για το πρόβλημα αυτό, προτείνουμε έναν εκτιμητή ο οποίος δίνει τις παραμέτρους της πηγής ως λύση ενός γραμμικού προβλήματος ελαχίστων τετραγώνων. Στη συνέχεια, υπολογίζουμε κατάλληλα βάρη και προτείνουμε έναν εκτιμητή ο οποίος δίνει τις παραμέτρους της πηγής ως λύση ενός προβλήματος ελαχίστων τετραγώνων με βάρη. Ακόμα, τροποποιούμε κατάλληλα τον τελευταίο εκτιμητή έτσι ώστε να είναι δυνατή η κατανεμημένη υλοποίησή του μέσω των προσαρμοστικών αλγορίθμων Least Mean Square (LMS) και Recursive Least Squares (RLS). Στη συνέχεια, εξετάζουμε την περίπτωση όπου ενδιαφερόμαστε να εκτιμήσουμε τη θέση μιας πηγής αλλά δεν έχουμε καμιά πληροφορία σχετικά με το μοντέλο εξασθένισης της ισχύος. Έτσι, υποθέτουμε πως αυτό περιγράφεται από μια άγνωστη γνησίως φθίνουσα συνάρτηση της απόστασης. Αρχικά, προσεγγίζουμε το πρόβλημα εκτίμησης κάνοντας την υπόθεση πως οι θέσεις των κόμβων αποτελούν τυχαία σημεία ομοιόμορφα κατανεμημένα στο επίπεδο. Χρησιμοποιώντας την υπόθεση αυτή, υπολογίζουμε εκτιμήσεις για τις αποστάσεις ανάμεσα στους κόμβους και την πηγή, και αναπτύσσουμε έναν αλγόριθμο εκτίμησης της θέσης της πηγής. Στη συνέχεια, προσεγγίζουμε το πρόβλημα εκτίμησης χωρίς την υπόθεση περί ομοιόμορφης κατανομής των θέσεων των κόμβων στο επίπεδο. Προτείνουμε μια κατάλληλη συνάρτηση κόστους για την περίπτωση αυτή, και δείχνουμε την ύπαρξη μιας συνθήκης υπό την οποία η βέλτιστη λύση μπορεί να υπολογιστεί. Η λύση αυτή είναι εσωτερικό σημείο ενός κυρτού πολυγώνου, το οποίο ονομάζουμε ταξινομημένο τάξης-K κελί Voronoi. Έτσι, δίνουμε αλγορίθμους υπολογισμού της λύσης αυτής, καθώς και κατανεμημένους αλγορίθμους οι οποίοι βασίζονται σε προβολές σε κυρτά σύνολα. Ακόμα, ασχολούμαστε με τις ιδιότητες των κελιών αυτών στην περίπτωση όπου οι θέσεις των κόμβων αισθητήρων είναι ομοιόμορφα κατανεμημένες στο επίπεδο και υπολογίζουμε κάποια φράγματα για το εμβαδόν τους. Τέλος, ασχολούμαστε με την περίπτωση όπου ενδιαφερόμαστε να εκτιμήσουμε τις θέσεις πολλαπλών πηγών με γνωστό μοντέλο εξασθένισης της ισχύος. Για το πρόβλημα αυτό, αρχικά προτείνουμε έναν αλγόριθμο διαδοχικής εκτίμησης και ακύρωσης της συνεισφοράς κάθε πηγής, προκειμένου να υπολογιστούν σταδιακά οι θέσεις όλων των πηγών. Ο αλγόριθμος αυτός, αποτελείται από τρία βήματα κατά τα οποία πρώτα υπολογίζεται μια προσεγγιστική θέση για την πηγή, στη συνέχεια εκτιμάται ένα σύνολο κόμβων το οποίο δέχεται μικρής έντασης παρεμβολή από τις υπόλοιπες πηγές, και τέλος επιχειρείται μια λεπτομερέστερη εκτίμηση της θέσης κάθε πηγής. Στη συνέχεια, επεκτείνοντας την τεχνική αυτή, προτείνουμε έναν επαναληπτικό αλγόριθμο εκτίμησης ο οποίος βασίζεται στον αλγόριθμο εναλλασσόμενων προβολών (Alternating Projections). Εξετάζουμε επίσης μεθόδους οι οποίες οδηγούν στη μείωση της υπολογιστικής πολυπλοκότητας του αλγορίθμου αυτού. / Technology advances in microelectronics and wireless communications have enabled the development of small-scale devices that integrate sensing, processing and short-range radio capabilities. The deployment of a large number of such devices, referred to as sensor nodes, over a territory of interest, defines the so-called wireless sensor network. Wireless sensor networks have attracted considerable attention in recent years and have motivated many new challenges, most of which require the synergy of many disciplines, including signal processing, networking and distributed algorithms. Among many other applications, source localization and tracking has been widely viewed as a canonical problem of wireless sensor networks. Furthermore, it constitutes an easily perceived problem that can be used as a vehicle to study more involved information processing and organization problems. Most of the source localization methods that have appeared in the literature can be classified into two broad categories, according to the physical variable they utilize. The algorithms of the first category utilize “time delay of arrival”(TDOA) measurements, and the algorithms of the second category use “direction of arrival” (DOA) measurements. DOA estimates are particularly useful for locating sources emitting narrowband signals, while TDOA measurements offer the increased capability of localizing sources emitting broadband signals. However, the methods of both categories impose two major requirements that render them inappropriate to be used in wireless sensor networks: (a) the analog signals at the outputs of the spatially distributed sensors should be sampled in a synchronized fashion, and (b) the sampling rate used should be high enough so as to capture the features of interest. These requirements, in turn, imply that accurate distributed synchronization methods should be implemented so as to keep the remote sensor nodes synchronized and that high frequency electronics as well as increased bandwidth are needed to transmit the acquired measurements. Due to the aforementioned limitations, source localization methods that rely upon received signal strength (RSS) measurements - originally explored for locating electromagnetic sources - have recently received revived attention. In this Thesis, we begin our study by considering the localization of an isotropic acoustic source using energy measurements from distributed sensors, in the case where the energy decays according to an inverse square law with respect to the distance. While most acoustic source localization algorithms require that distance estimates between the sensors and the source of interest are available, we propose a linear least squares criterion that does not make such an assumption. The new criterion can yield the location of the source and its transmit power in closed form. A weighted least squares cost function is also considered, and distributed implementation of the proposed estimators is studied. Numerical results indicate significant performance improvement as compared to a linear least squares based approach that utilizes energy ratios, and comparable performance to other estimators of higher computational complexity. In the sequel, we turn our attention to the case where the energy decay model is not known. For solving the localization problem in this case, we first make the assumption that the locations of the nodes near the source can be well described by a uniform distribution. Using this assumption, we derive distance estimates that are independent of both the energy decay model and the transmit power of the source. Numerical results show that these estimates lead to improved localization accuracy as compared to other model-independent approaches. In the sequel, we consider the more general case where the assumption about the uniform deployment of the sensors is not required. For this case, an optimization problem that does not require knowledge of the underlying energy decay model is proposed, and a condition under which the optimal solution can be computed is given. This condition employs a new geometric construct, called the sorted order-K Voronoi diagram. We give centralized and distributed algorithms for source localization in this setting. Finally, analytical results and simulations are used to verify the performance of the developed algorithms. The next problem we consider is the estimation of the locations of multiple acoustic sources by a network of distributed energy measuring sensors. The maximum likelihood (ML) solution to this problem is related to the optimization of a non-convex function of, usually, many variables. Thus, search-based methods of high complexity are required in order to yield an accurate solution. In order to reduce the computational complexity of the multiple source localization problem, we propose two methods. The first method proposes a sequential estimation algorithm, in which each source is localized, its contribution is cancelled, and the next source is considered. The second method makes use of an alternating projection (AP) algorithm that decomposes the original problem into a number of simpler, yet also non-convex, optimization steps. The particular form of the derived cost functions of each such optimization step indicates that, in some cases, an approximate form of these cost functions can be used. These approximate cost functions can be evaluated using considerably lower computational complexity. Thus, a low-complexity version of the AP algorithm is proposed. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm offers a performance close to that of the exact AP implementation, and in some cases, similar performance to that of the ML estimator.

The localization of the sensor nodes is a fundamental issue in the area of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). An attractive way for estimating the location of mobile or static wireless objects is by using the received signal strength (RSS) attenuation with the distance, which does not require any additional hardware. This is possible due to the fact that in most sensor nodes radios the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is a standard feature and can be obtained automatically by the received messages. On the other hand the RSS is known for being noisy, unstable, variable and difficult to use in practice. For achieving a better understanding of the nature of these difficulties and limitations, and for identifying the range of applicability of the RSS in localization and tracking scenarios, a thorough study about the RSS and its dependence on the various factors and environmental conditions is essential. The present doctoral dissertation investigates the feasibility of sensor node localization and target tracking with the resources of the WSN technology, when using only the RSS of the exchanged messages. Moreover, it offers experimental support to the hypothesis that proper modeling of the RSS behavior and appropriate selection of the topology parameters are essential for the applicability of WSN in real world conditions. In brief, the present doctoral dissertation concerns with: (i) identifying the main factors that influence the accuracy, the variability and the reliability of the obtained RSS, (ii) modeling the RF signal propagation in the context of WSNs, and (iii)defining the basic deployment constraints and evaluation of the topology parameters that can guarantee successful localization and tracking. For assessing the practical value of various RF-models, experiments using Tmote Sky and TelosB sensor nodes in real-field outdoor environment were carried out. The impact of a number of factors, such as the operating frequency of the radio, the transmitter–receiver distance, the variation of transceivers hardware due to manufacturing tolerances, the antenna orientation, and the environmental conditions, on the RSS was investigated. The influence of the various factors that affect the RF signal propagation and some constraints imposed by the WSN nature was accounted in order to design practical models, suitable for outdoor unobstructed and outdoor tree-obstructed environments. A pre-deployment simulation framework has been introduced and in its context a RF signal propagation-based connectivity strategy (RFCS) has been developed to fulfill three deployment provisions: (i) discovering the most appropriate height from the ground and distances for the sensor nodes, (ii) reducing the transmission power, and (iii) minimizing the interference from non-neighbor nodes. The RFCS uses a RF signal propagation model to predict the RSS in order to identify the most appropriate communication-based deployment parameters, i.e. T-R distance, height from the ground and transmission power. The localization and tracking considerations, by means of localization and tracking techniques, topology parameters and factors influencing the localization and tracking accuracy, are combined in illustrative simulation examples to evaluate their significance concerning the performance of the localization and tracking task. Furthermore, the propagation model and the topology parameters being identified were validated in real outdoor sensor node localization and target tracking tests. / -

MARINHO, Luciana Gomes. Avaliação da política de assistência social para crianças e adolescentes afastados do ambiente familiar: um estudo de caso da Sociedade para o Bem Estar da Família - SOBEF no Município de Maracanaú-CE. 2012. 202f. – Dissertação (Mestrado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Avaliação de Políticas Públicas, Fortaleza (CE), 2012. / Submitted by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-10-01T16:28:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012-DIS-LGMARINHO.pdf: 6270343 bytes, checksum: aa904c167ac6619f987bf6fced3787a2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo(marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-10-01T16:37:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012-DIS-LGMARINHO.pdf: 6270343 bytes, checksum: aa904c167ac6619f987bf6fced3787a2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-01T16:37:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012-DIS-LGMARINHO.pdf: 6270343 bytes, checksum: aa904c167ac6619f987bf6fced3787a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / This study aims assess Assistance Policy Social facing Children and Adolescents are Reception Institutional specifically those extinct power family, destitute power family or process disempowering familiar and also outside "patterns "existing adoption in perspective right to familiar and communitarian. To accomplish such will held fieldwork where will considered will: case study considering that universe being evaluated will municipality Maracanaú primarily entity host institutional Child and adolescents - Sociedade for Wellness of Family - SOBEF which composes network provider service referred municipality and System Guaranteeing Rights; interview formal and open applied three professionals serve for collecting information, concerning activities developed in present, as about future prospects perceived by these actors; participant observation with children and adolescents welcomed assuming here one active participation researcher in meanders activities; the administered questionnaire with managing equipment help at outlining children and adolescents welcomed and own institution together abstracting thereof not understanding and appropriation of normative existing, towards warranty conviviality family and community of welcomed; bibliographical research that help deepening categories analytical and founding research; documental research for possible formatting history institutional; besides analyzing quantitative data also be harvested by documental analysis available by institution as way to chart profile boys and girls welcomed as also through data sites official dealing object and their contexts social-familial. This sense evaluation proposal is quali-quantitative and will performed evaluation process in view focus approached this work. Already method utilized be to interpreting senses checking analysis implementation Policy Welfare regarding executing programs host institutional juveniles; measuring quali-quantitatively as running service host institutional performed by SOBEF, municipality Maracanaú; assess knowledge and implementing strategies that professionals are finding social inclusion children and adolescents welcomed; verify compliance new laws about programs host institutional; assess whether teenagers welcomed being prepared for shutdown institution; and finally evaluate effectiveness skills among network actors attendance involving host institutional conducted by SOBEF in reference direction and counter. The conclusion can be described in this way: The sheltered children and adolescents, even facing a lot of legal advances are or continue immersed in a contradictory reality of non-guarantees of right against the dream of having a family and leave this situation. / O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a Política de Assistência Social voltada para crianças e adolescentes que estão em Acolhimento Institucional, especificamente, aquelas extintas do poder familiar, destituídos do poder familiar ou em processo de destituição do poder familiar e também fora dos “padrões” vigentes de adoção, na perspectiva do direito à convivência familiar e comunitária. Para realizar tal estudo desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa de campo no desenho de um estudo de caso, tendo em vista que o universo a ser avaliado foi a entidade de acolhimento institucional para crianças e adolescentes – Sociedade para o Bem Estar da Família – SOBEF, localizada no município de Maracanaú - CE. Foram utilizadas as seguintes técnicas: entrevista formal e aberta aplicada a três profissionais; observação participante com crianças e adolescentes acolhidos; questionário aplicado com a gestora do equipamento; levantamento nos registros da instituição e participação em rodas de conversas com os acolhidos. A pesquisa bibliográfica contribuiu para o aprofundamento das categorias analíticas e fundantes da pesquisa; a pesquisa documental para formatação do histórico institucional e a pesquisa de campo, qualiquantitativa como forma de traçar um perfil dos meninos e meninas acolhidos. Neste sentido, a avaliação proposta foi quali-quantitativa. Especificamente quanto à análise qualitativa, esta foi do tipo formativa e/ou de processo, tendo em vista o foco abordado neste trabalho. Já o método a ser utilizado foi o de interpretação de sentidos, verificando a análise da implementação da Política de Assistência Social referente à execução do Programa de Acolhimento Institucional para crianças e adolescentes. Quanto à pesquisa quantitativa, houve uma análise estatística descritiva dos acolhidos, contribuindo para a caracterização do público alvo. As conclusões podem ser descritas da seguinte maneira: as crianças e adolescentes acolhidos, mesmo diante de vários avanços legais estão ou continuam imersos em uma realidade contraditória de (des) garantias de direitos versus o sonho de possuir uma família e com isso sair da situação de acolhimento institucional.

Cette thèse propose une nouvelle méthode, via les outils de dosimétrie et de statistiques, pour l'évaluation de l'exposition globale d'une population aux champs électromagnétiques (EMFs) radiofréquences en prenant en compte les différentes technologies, usages et environnements... Nous avons analysé pour la première fois l'exposition moyenne d'une population induite par un réseau 3G, tout en considérant à la fois les émissions EMFs montantes et descendantes dans des différents pays, dans des différentes zones géographiques et pour les différents usages des mobiles. Les résultats montrent une forte hétérogénéité de l'exposition dans le temps et dans l'espace. Contrairement à la croyance populaire, l'exposition aux ondes EMFs 3G est dominée par les émissions montantes, résultant de l'usage voix et data. En outre, l'exposition moyenne de la population diffère d'une zone géographique à une autre, ainsi que d'un pays à un autre, en raison des différentes architectures de réseau cellulaire et de la variabilité de l'usage des mobiles. Ensuite, la variabilité et les incertitudes liées à ces facteurs ont été caractérisées. Une analyse de sensibilité basée sur la variance de l'exposition globale a été effectuée dans le but de simplifier son évaluation. Enfin, une méthodologie simplifiée basée sur des outils statistiques avancés a été proposée pour évaluer l'exposition réelle de la population en tenant compte de la variabilité liée à l'environnement de propagation, à l'usage, ainsi qu'aux émissions EMFs provenant des mobiles et des stations de base (BTS). Les résultats ont souligné l'importance de la densité de puissance reçue depuis les BTS pour l'exposition globale induite par un réseau macro LTE. / Wireless communication technologies, since their introduction, have evolved very quickly and people have been brought in 30 years into a much closer world. In parallel radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) are more and more used. As a consequence, people's attentions around health risks of exposure to RF EMFs have grown just as much as their usages of wireless communication technologies. Exposure to RF EMFs can be characterized using different exposure metrics (e.g., incident field metrics, absorption metrics...). However, the existing methodologies are well suited to the maximum exposure assessment for the individual under the worst-case condition. Moreover in most cases, when dealing with exposure issues, exposures linked to RF EMF emitted from base stations (BTS) and by wireless devices (e.g, mobile phones and tablets) are generally treated separately. This thesis has been dedicated to construct and validate a new method for assessing the real day-to-day RF EMF exposure to a wireless network as a whole, exploring the people's daily life, including both downlink and uplink exposures and taking into account different technologies, usages, environments, etc. Towards these objectives, we analyzed for the first time the average population exposure linked to third generation network (3G) induced EMFs, from both uplink and downlink radio emissions in different countries, geographical areas, and for different wireless device usages. Results, derived from device usage statistics, show a strong heterogeneity of exposure, both in time and space. We show that, contrary to popular belief, exposure to 3G EMFs is dominated by uplink radio emissions, resulting from voice and data traffic, and average population EMF exposure differs from one geographical area to another, as well as from one country to another, due to the different cellular network architectures and variability of mobile usage. Thus the variability and uncertainties linked to these influencing factors were characterized. And a variance-based sensitivity analysis of the global exposure was performed for the purpose of simplifying its evaluation. Finally, a substitution model was built to evaluate the day-to-day global LTE induced EMFs exposure of a population taking into account the variability linked to propagation environment, usage, as well as EMFs from personal wireless devices and BTS. Results have highlighted the importance of received power density from BTS to the issue of global exposure induced by a macro LTE network. This substitution model can be further used to analyze the evolution of the wireless network in terms of EMF exposure.