This thesis focuses on two fundamental topics, specifically in medical statistics: the modelling of correlated survival datasets and the variable selection of the significant covariates and random effects. In particular, two types of survival data are considered: the classical survival datasets, where subjects are likely to experience only one type of event and the competing risks datasets, where subjects are likely to experience one of several types of event. In Chapter 2, among other topics, we highlight the importance of adding frailty terms on the proposed models in order to account for the association between the survival time and characteristics of subjects/groups. The main novelty of this thesis is to simultaneously select fixed effects and frailty terms through the proposed statistical models for each survival dataset. Chapter 3 covers the analysis of the classical survival dataset through the proposed Cox Proportional Hazard (PH) model. Utilizing a Cox PH frailty model, may increase the dimension of variable components and estimation of the unknown coefficients becomes very challenging. The method proposed for the analysis of classical survival datasets involves simultaneous variable selection on both fixed effects and frailty terms through penalty functions. The benefit of penalty functions is that they identify the non-significant parameters and set them to have a zero effect in the model. Hence, the idea is to 'doubly-penalize' the partial likelihood of the Cox PH frailty model; one penalty for each term. Estimation and selection implemented through Newton-Raphson algorithms, whereas closed iterative forms for the estimation and selection of fixed effects and prediction of frailty terms were obtained. For the selection of frailty terms, penalties imposed on their variances since frailties are random effects. Based on the same idea, we further extend the simultaneous variable selection in the competing risks datasets in Chapter 4, using extended cause-specific frailty models. Two different scenarios are considered for frailty terms; in the first case we consider that frailty terms vary among different types of events (similar to the fixed effects) whereas in the second case we consider shared frailties over all the types of events. Moreover, our 'individual penalization' approach allows for one covariate to be significant for some types of events, in contrast to the frequently used 'group-penalization' where a covariate is entirely removed when it is not significant over all the events. For both proposed methods, simulation studies were conduced and showed that the proposed procedure followed for each analysis works well in simultaneously selecting and estimating significant fixed effects and frailty terms. The proposed methods are also applied to real datasets analysis; Kidney catheter infections, Diabetes Type 2 and Breast Cancer datasets. Association of the survival times and unmeasured characteristics of the subjects was studied as well as a variable selection for fixed effects and frailties implemented successfully.

This thesis applies entropy as a model independent measure to address research questions concerning the dynamics of various financial time series. The thesis consists of three main studies as presented in chapters 3, 4 and 5. Chapters 3 and 4 apply an entropy measure to conduct a bivariate analysis of drawdowns and drawups in foreign exchange rates. Chapter 5 investigates the dynamics of investment strategies of hedge funds using entropy of realised volatility in a conditioning model. In all three studies, methods from information theory are applied in novel ways to financial time series. As Information Theory and its central concept of entropy are not widely used in the economic sciences, a methodology chapter was therefore included in chapter 2 that gives an overview on the theoretical background and statistical features of the entropy measures used in the three main studies. In the first two studies the focus is on mutual information and transfer entropy. Both measures are used to identify dependencies between two exchange rates. The chosen measures generalise, in a well defined manner, correlation and Granger causality. A different entropy measure, the approximate entropy, is used in the third study to analyse the serial structure of S&P realised volatility. The study of drawdowns and drawups has so far been concentrated on their uni- variate characteristics. Encoding the drawdown information of a time series into a time series of discrete values, Chapter 3 uses entropy measures to analyse the correlation and cross correlations of drawdowns and drawups. The method to encode the drawdown information is explained and applied to daily and hourly EUR/USD and GBP/USD exchange rates from 2001 to 2012. For the daily series, we find evidence of dependence among the largest draws (i.e. 5% and 95% quantiles), but it is not as strong as the correlation between the daily returns of the same pair of FX rates. There is also dependence between lead/lagged values of these draws. Similar and stronger findings were found among the hourly data. We further use transfer entropy to examine the spill over and lead-lag information flow between drawup/drawdown of the two exchange rates. Such information flow is indeed detectable in both daily and hourly data. The amount of information transferred is considerably higher for the hourly than the daily data. Both daily and hourly series show clear evidence of information flowing from EUR/USD to GBP/USD and, slightly stronger, in the reverse direction. Robustness tests, using effective transfer entropy, show that the information measured is not due to noise. Chapter 4 uses state space models of volatility to investigate volatility spill overs between exchange rates. Our use of entropy related measures in the investigation of dependencies of two state space series is novel. A set of five daily exchange rates from emerging and developed economies against the dollar over the period 1999 to 2012 is used. We find that among the currency pairs, the co-movement of EUR/USD and CHF/USD volatility states show the strongest observed relationship. With the use of transfer entropy, we find evidence for information flows between the volatility state series of AUD, CAD and BRL.Chapter 5 uses the entropy of S&P realised volatility in detecting changes of volatility regime in order to re-examine the theme of market volatility timing of hedge funds. A one-factor model is used, conditioned on information about the entropy of market volatility, to measure the dynamic of hedge funds equity exposure. On a cross section of around 2500 hedge funds with a focus on the US equity markets we find that, over the period from 2000 to 2014, hedge funds adjust their exposure dynamically in response to changes in volatility regime. This adds to the literature on the volatility timing behaviour of hedge fund manager, but using entropy as a model independent measure of volatility regime. Finally, chapter 6 summarises and concludes with some suggestions for future research.

The diploma thesis "Risks of suicidal behavior among adolescents: Diagnostic, intervention and preventive options" deals with suicidality and suicidal behavior among adolescents in the Czech Republic. The theoretical part of the thesis describes the basic terms of this topic, various approaches and understanding of this issue in the past and in the present. This work also deals with the forms, methods and motives of suicidal behavior. Furthermore it describes the age of adolescence as an independent evolutionary period in the life of man and analyses the risks of this life era. The theoretical part also contains a description of the epidemiology of this phenomenon and possible diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive approaches to suicidal behavior. The empirical part of this thesis describes the research in which the goal was to determine the connection of the increase of suicidal risk and the basic dimension of the personality (using the Freiburg's Personality Inventory), social support (by the Perceived Social Support Scale) and life engagement (through the Life Engagement Test). The research sample contained 99 respondents from the last years of one of Prague's grammar school and two of Prague's vocational schools. The results of this research confirmed the connection between a lowered suicidal...

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-12T12:31:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Eduardo dos Reis Belo.pdf: 1394208 bytes, checksum: 1c8dfafb1431bdc6725809c041e70d16 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-13T18:49:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Eduardo dos Reis Belo.pdf: 1394208 bytes, checksum: 1c8dfafb1431bdc6725809c041e70d16 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T18:49:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Eduardo dos Reis Belo.pdf: 1394208 bytes, checksum: 1c8dfafb1431bdc6725809c041e70d16 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-15 / Ministério da Educação de Timor-Leste / Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for occupational violence against nurses in primary health care. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional census study was developed between March and June 2014, using a quantitative approach with descriptive- analytic analysis. The study’s population comprised of 112 nurses working in teams of Family Primary Care Units and Primary Care Health Centers. Those nurses were asked to answer a questionnaire that addressed the socio-demographic information, the professional routine and the occupational violence faced (types, frequency and characteristics of perpetrators). Data were tabulated and analyzed descriptively and inferentially using the SPSS 22.0 software. The significance level was 5%. Results: Most of nurses are female (94.6%), aged between 34-43 years (38.4%), living with a partner (60.7%) and having a weekly workload of 40 hours (90.1 %). The prevalence of violence was 73.2%. Predominantly, occupational violence comprised of verbal violence (67.0%) and psychological harassment (bullying - 27.1%). Patients (81.1%) and caregivers (83.1%) were responsible for verbal violence, whilst the heads of teams (78.3%) and other health professionals (41.7 %) practiced bullying. The risk factors more frequently reported were the lack of safety in the workplace (73.2%) and the aggressive behavior of patients (67%). The occupational violence was not statistically associated with the gender, professional experience, experience at primary health care, weekly working hours, or working shift (p>0.05). The type of violence faced was not either statistically associated with gender, marital status, professional experience, weekly working hours, or working shift (p>0.05). Conclusion: Occupational violence has high prevalence among Brazilian nurses working at primary health care system. Verbal violence is more prevalent and frequently practiced by patients. The lack of safety in the workplace is the main risk factor associated with occupational violence faced by nurses. / Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados à violência ocupacional contra enfermeiros da atenção primária em saúde. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo censitário descritivo-analítico com abordagem quantitativa desenvolvida entre março e junho de 2014. A população do estudo compreendeu 112 enfermeiros atuantes nas equipes da Unidade Básica de Saúde da Família e dos Centros de Saúde do município de Campina Grande, PB. O instrumento de pesquisa consistiu de um questionário contendo informações sóciodemográficas (sexo, idade e situação conjugal), caracterização profissional (formação, tempo de profissão, carga horária semanal e turno de trabalho) e referente à violência ocupacional: I) frequência; II) tipo de violência (física, verbal, assédio moral e assédio sexual); III) agressor (identificação e sexo); IV) horário da agressão e V) fatores de risco. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados de forma descritiva e inferencial por meio do software SPSS 22.0. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: A maioria dos enfermeiros é do sexo feminino (94,6%), com idade entre 34 e 43 anos (38,4%), vivem com companheiro (60,7%) e possuem carga horária semanal de 40 horas (90,1%). A prevalência de violência foi de 73,2%, predominando a violência verbal (67,0%) e o assédio moral (27,1%). Na violência verbal, os principais perpetradores foram os pacientes (81,1%) e acompanhantes (83,1%), enquanto que no assédio moral, os agressores foram os chefes (78,3%) e outros profissionais de saúde (41,7%). Os motivos mais reportados foram a falta de segurança no ambiente de trabalho (73,2%) e os pacientes serem violentos (67%). Não se observou associação estatisticamente significante entre sofrer violência com o sexo, o tempo de profissão, tempo de serviço, carga horária semanal e turno de trabalho (p>0,05). Também não foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre o tipo de violência sofrida e o sexo, estado civil, tempo de profissão, carga horária semanal e turno de trabalho (p>0,05). Conclusão: É elevada a prevalência de violência ocupacional entre os enfermeiros brasileiros, predominando a violência verbal. Os agressores são comumente os próprios pacientes e a falta de segurança no ambiente de trabalho foi o principal motivo relatado.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-12T16:11:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Américo Fernandes.pdf: 1829810 bytes, checksum: 310d6da0f279d6dd3e1782cf8f9132cf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-13T19:00:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Américo Fernandes.pdf: 1829810 bytes, checksum: 310d6da0f279d6dd3e1782cf8f9132cf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-13T19:07:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Américo Fernandes.pdf: 1829810 bytes, checksum: 310d6da0f279d6dd3e1782cf8f9132cf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T19:07:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Américo Fernandes.pdf: 1829810 bytes, checksum: 310d6da0f279d6dd3e1782cf8f9132cf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-15 / Ministério da Educação de Timor-Leste / Introduction: The institutional violence involving health professionals is an issue of global importance. Although this problem can reach everyone, it is emphasized that nursing has three times more likely to experience aggression or abuse in the workplace than other professionals. Objective: This analytical descriptive census study with quantitative approach developed between March and May 2014 with the objective of analyzing the occupational violence against nursing staff in municipal health of Campina Grande/PB. Characterize socio demographic sample, identify the principles types of violence, characterize the aggressors and identify the procedures adopted and the consequences after the violent acts. Methods: The study population comprised all nursing technicians working in 97 teams of the basic unit of family health (BFHU) and 3 health centers (CS) totaling 106 nursing technicians. The research instrument consisted of a valid questionnaire with 27 questions. Data processing was done using Microsoft Excel software-program and SPSS version 22.0 and analyzing by descriptive statistics through presentation of the presence, frequency, percentage, P-Value and RP-Value for discussion of results. Results: The technicians were mostly women (89.6%), aged between 31-40 years (51.0%), living with a partner (60.4%), with 6-10 years of work experience (28.3%). The length of service in primary health care was 6-10 years (43.3%), with a weekly workload of 40 hours (91.4%) in morning and afternoon shifts (93.3%). The technicians reported the occurrence of verbal (84.0%), moral (52.9%), physical (4.8%) and sexual violence (1.0%). The companions of the patients were primarily responsible for the violence. The frequency of violence reports was “4 times or more” in 41.0% of cases (verbal abuse), and violence occurs in the morning and afternoon shifts (46.7%). The most common risk factors were: violent patient (70.4%) and lack of security or police (67.7%). No significant association was found (p> 0.05) between the variables sex, marital status, length of experience in the profession, length of service in primary health care, weekly workload and work shift, and the occurrence and type of violence experienced. Conclusions: We conclude that the main types of verbal violence were caused by escorts and followed by moral violence by colleagues of the same profession. / Introdução: A violência institucional envolvendo profissionais da saúde se constitui em problema de importância mundial. Sabe-se que a enfermagem tem três vezes mais probabilidade de experimentar agressão ou abuso no local de trabalho do que os outros profissionais. Objetivo: Analisar a violência ocupacional contra técnicos de enfermagem da rede demograficamente a amostra, identificar os princípios tipos de violência, caracterizar os pública municipal da saúde de Campina Grande/PB. Caracterizar sócio agressores e identificar os procedimentos adotados e as consequências após os atos violentos. Material e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo censitário, descritivo e analítico, com abordagem quantitativa, entre março e maio de 2014. A população do estudo compreendeu todos os técnicos de enfermagem que atuam nas 97 equipes da unidade básica de saúde da família (UBSF) e três Centros de Saúde (CS) totalizando 106 técnicos de enfermagem. O instrumento de pesquisa consistiu de um questionário validado composto por 27 questões. O tratamento de dados foi feito através do programa software Microsoft-Excel e SPSS versão 22.0 percentagem, P-Valor e RP-Valor para discussão dos resultados. Resultados: Os técnicos se e analisado através da estatística descritiva com apresentação da frequência, caracterizaram como mulheres (89,6%), entre 31 a 40 anos (51,0%), vivendo com companheiros (60,4%), com 6 a 10 anos de experiência na profissão (28,3%;). O tempo de serviço na atenção básica de saúde foi de 6 a 10 anos (43,3%), a carga horária semanal de trabalho foi de 40 horas (91,4%) nos turnos matutino e vespertino (93,3%). Relataram ocorrência de violência verbal (84,0%), violência moral (52,9%), violência física (4,8%) e violência sexual (1,0%). Os acompanhantes dos pacientes foram os principais responsáveis pela violência. Ter relatado 4 ou mais situações de violência foi a frequência de exposição predominante para um mesmo sujeito, com 41,0% (violência verbal). A violência ocorre nos turnos matutino e vespertino (46,7%). Os fatores de risco mais frequentes foram: paciente violento (70,4%) e falta de segurança ou policial (67,7%). As associações entre as características do sujeito como sexo, estado civil, tempo de experiência na profissão, tempo de serviço na rede da atenção básica de saúde, carga horária semanal e o turno de trabalho com a ocorrência e o tipo de violência sofrida não foram significantes (p > 0,05). Conclusões. Os principais tipos de violência foram a verbal provocada pelos acompanhantes, seguida de violência moral provocada por colegas da mesma profissão.

As obras de desvio de rios para a construção de barragens, embora tenham caráter provisório, são de estrema importância, pois definem como o empreendimento será executado, garantindo segurança à sua construção, dentro de riscos calculados, devendo no entanto ser o mais econômica possível. As estruturas de desvio devem se encaixar no arranjo das estruturas permanentes, podendo ser utilizadas como tal. Este trabalho tem o intuito de apresentar as principais estruturas utilizadas em esquemas de desvio de rios e caracterizar sua utilização e aplicabilidade. Sempre que possível foram apresentados esquemas utilizados na prática ou previstos em projeto, para melhor exemplificar e caracterizar as diversas estruturas e as possíveis soluções para desvio de rios. / Diversion works for dam construction are temporary. Nevertheless, they are extremely important, since they define how the construction is going to be made, and assuring its safety, within calculated risks. But, they have to be as economical as possible. The diversion structures must fit the global arrangement of the project, being in some cases be used as permanent structures. This document has the objective of present the main diversion structures used in diversion works schemes, as well as characterize their utilization and applicability. Whenever possible, it was presented examples of schemes either already used or just previewed on design, to better characterize and exemplify the many structures and possible solutions for river diversion.

As condições do setor eólico internacional em crise e a subsequente instalação de fornecedores no Brasil tem auxiliado no aumento de instalações de Centrais de Geração Eólica (CGE) no Brasil. A quantidade de projetos de detalhamento e implantação de centros geradores de energia eólica cresceram na mesma proporção. Os projetos dos parques eólicos no Brasil são concebidos, projetados, detalhados e implantados por um conjunto de profissionais de diferentes disciplinas e especialidades que, a partir de informações de referência e delimitações do escopo de trabalho, realizam suas atribuições em momentos distintos dentro do ciclo de implantação de um CGE. Durante a concepção, são considerados parâmetros, tais como interferências físicas, especificação de equipamento, estudos básicos, análise da distribuição, transmissão de energia e capacidades de geração de energia elétrica. Durante toda a fase de desenvolvimento do projeto, um dos principais pontos de atenção são as análises de risco do projeto que avalia o andamento do projeto e visa reduzir os riscos de fracasso da empreitada. Caso estes índices sinalizem problemas ou barreiras intransponíveis, as atividades de detalhamento do projeto eólico devem ser interrompidas. Este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia que auxilie na análise de riscos de projetos de detalhamento eólico. Esta metodologia auxiliará profissionais menos experientes ou que não atuem no mercado eólico e precisam de subsídios técnicos para elaborar relatórios aos responsáveis pelo planejamento estratégico de futuros empreendimentos eólico. / The crisis of the international wind industry and the subsequent installation of suppliers in Brazil has helped in the increase of the central premises of wind generation (CGE) in Brazil. The amount of detailing projects and deployment of wind energy generating centers grew in proportion. The wind farms projects in Brazil are designed, engineered, detailed and implemented by a group of professionals from different disciplines and specialties, that perform their duties at different times within the cycle development of a CGE using different reference informations and delimitations of scope of work. During design, are considered parameters such as physical interference, equipment specification, basic studies, analysis of the distribution, power transmission and generation capacity of electricity. Throughout the development phase of a project, one of the main points of attention is the project risk analysis that evaluates the progress of the project and aims to reduce the risk of failure of the venture. If these indices to signal problems or insurmountable barriers, detailing the activities of the wind project should be stopped. This work aims to develop a methodology that assists in the analysis of wind power detailed project risks. This methodology will assist less experienced professionals or professionals that are not used to work in the wind energy power market and need more information for reporting technical issues to those responsible for strategic planning of future wind projects.

Sabe-se que enfermeiros que atuam em unidades de internação psiquiátrica, desenvolvem múltiplas tarefas com diferentes graus de exigências e responsabilidades, as quais, dependendo do ambiente e da forma como está planejado e organizado o trabalho podem expor este profissional aos riscos ocupacionais presentes, com conseqüências negativas para a sua saúde bem como, para qualidade do cuidado prestado aos pacientes. Dentre estes riscos, destaca-se os psicossociais. Os riscos psicossociais relacionam-se à aspectos de planejamento, organização e gerenciamento do trabalho que podem provocar desgaste físico e emocional ao trabalhador. Este estudo tem o objetivo de caracterizar os riscos psicossociais relacionados ao trabalho de enfermeiros de um hospital psiquiátrico e as estratégias para o seu gerenciamento. É um estudo descritivo utilizando a abordagem qualitativa dos dados. Os participantes foram 25 enfermeiros inseridos há mais de 6 meses no local de estudo e a coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas no período de novembro à janeiro 2014/15. Para análise dos dados foi utilizado o método de análise temática. O trabalho foi aprovado no CEP da EERP/USP. Os resultados mostraram sete categorias de riscos psicossociais tais como: formação profissional, ambiente e equipamento de trabalho, relacionamento interpessoal, carga e esquema de trabalho, recursos humanos, interface trabalho-família, violência. Não foram identificadas estratégias organizacionais para o gerenciamento dos riscos, entretanto, os enfermeiros relataram a implementação de estratégias individuais para aliviar as tensões e/ou riscos gerados no ambiente de trabalho tais como: recorrer a presença da família, cinema, música, leitura, exercícios físicos, busca por terapias, religião, viagens e passeios. O estudo contribuiu preenchendo lacunas na produção de conhecimento sobre riscos ocupacionais a que estão expostos os profissionais enfermeiros de saúde mental no contexto hospitalar. Além disso, os resultados podem fornecer subsídios para gestores conhecerem detalhadamente as condições de trabalho aos quais estão expostos enfermeiros psiquiátricos, na perspectiva de implementar estratégias preventivas e/ou conservativas no ambiente laboral / It is known that nurses who work in psychiatric inpatient units, develop multiple tasks with different levels of requirements and responsibilities, which, depending on the environment and how it is planned and organized the work can expose these professionals to occupational risks present with negative consequences for their health as well, to quality of care provided to pacientes.Dentre these risks, we highlight the psychosocial. Psychosocial risks are related to aspects of planning, organization and management of work that can cause physical and emotional stress to the worker. This study aims to characterize the psychosocial risks related to the work of nurses in a psychiatric hospital and strategies for its management. It is a descriptive study using a qualitative approach. The participants were 25 nurses inserted for more than six months at the study site and the data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews in the period from November to January 2014/15. For data analysis we used the method of thematic analysis. The study was approved by CEP- EERP / USP. The results showed seven psychosocial risk categories such as vocational training, environment and work equipment, interpersonal relationships, work load and work schedule, staffing, work-family interface, violence. Organizational strategies for managing the risks have been identified, however, the nurses reported the implementation of individual strategies to ease tensions and / or risks arising in the workplace such as: enlist the presence of the family, cinema, music, reading, exercises physical, search for therapies, religion, travel and tours. The study contributed filling gaps in knowledge production about occupational hazards they are exposed to professional mental health nurses in hospitals. In addition, the results can provide information for managers to know in detail the working conditions to which they are exposed psychiatric nurses with a view to implement preventive strategies and / or conservative in the work environment

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:34:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriana Cristina Pereira.pdf: 1063922 bytes, checksum: 7f49b66af7a0ef3a99401d190108be93 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-26 / In search of the upturn in the economy, six years ago the State and the financial institutions have encouraged the granting of credit to consumers from all economic classes, eager to enter the consumer Market they have been induced by the loan offers, credit cards and overdrafts. Thus, household debts have grown steadily and, consequently, default rate has increased. In this sense, the present work aims to determine the liability of financial institutions regarding the default because they offer easy credit in an unrestricted manner, stimulating the consumer to consume increasingly to take on huge debts which often become unpayable. The choice of this theme is based on the importance of itself, given the risk of unrestricted credit and rising consumer debt, beyond the actuality of the topic in recent years. The growth of the supply of abusive credit, lack of risk analysis by financial institutions, the lack of information with regard to contractual terms ( interest rate , loan amount ) , led consumers to consume and borrow even more . So based on these dictates and on the guiding principles of the Federal Constitution, we must highlight the responsibility of the banking sector in this matter, since the consumer cannot be solely responsible for taking the credit and also for the default rate of this obligation. / Já há seis anos, na busca pelo aquecimento da economia, o Estado e as instituições financeiras têm incentivado a concessão do crédito para os consumidores de todas as classes econômicas que, ávidos por ingressar no mercado de consumo, foram induzidos pela oferta de empréstimos, cartões de crédito e cheques especiais. Assim, o endividamento das famílias tem crescido paulatinamente e, nessa esteira, tem aumentado a taxa de inadimplência. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar a responsabilidade das instituições financeiras no tocante à inadimplência, pelo fato de ofertarem crédito de modo irrestrito e facilitado, estimulando o consumidor a consumir cada vez mais, assumindo dívidas enormes, muitas vezes impagáveis. A escolha deste tema baseia-se na importância do mesmo, em face do risco do crédito irrestrito e do crescente endividamento do consumidor, além da atualidade do assunto nos últimos anos. O crescimento da oferta abusiva do crédito, a falta de análise dos riscos por parte das instituições financeiras, a falta de informação no tocante às cláusulas contratuais (juros, taxas, valor total do empréstimo), levaram os consumidores a consumir e se endividar cada vez mais. Assim, com fulcro nestes ditames e baseado nos princípios norteadores da Constituição Federal, há que se destacar a responsabilidade do setor bancário neste assunto, vez que o consumidor não pode é o único responsável pela tomada do crédito e adimplemento desta obrigação.

Com a reestruturação do modelo do setor elétrico brasileiro, a partir do Projeto RE-SEB, as empresas de distribuição de energia elétrica no Brasil tiveram que se adequar às novas regras de mercado, bem como alterar a sua maneira de administrar a empresa. Com o conceito de regulação por incentivos e competição por mercado, e não competição no mercado, novos mecanismos de mitigação de riscos de mercado foram introduzidos no modelo do setor elétrico, de tal forma que as empresas de distribuição de energia elétrica sejam ressarcidas de maneira justa pelo serviço prestado à sociedade. Diante desse contexto, a gestão eficiente da empresa e, conseqüentemente, o fato de atingir as metas de desempenho pré-estabelecidas pela alta administração de cada distribuidora depende cada vez mais do conhecimento das regras de mercado por seus colaboradores, bem como da utilização dos mecanismos de mitigação de riscos de mercado das distribuidoras. Assim, esse trabalho pretende analisar os principais mecanismos de mitigação de riscos de mercado das distribuidoras envolvidos no processo de repasse dos custos de aquisição de energia elétrica às tarifas dos consumidores finais, bem como avaliar os dispositivos previstos na regulamentação legal, inserindo um estudo de caso que analisa o portfólio de contratação de uma empresa de distribuição de energia elétrica fictícia, simulando variações nos níveis de contratação da mesma bem como no portfólio, avaliando a utilização dos mecanismos de mitigação de riscos de mercado e as alternativas simuladas, como também identificando os pontos de sucesso e os pontos a serem melhorados na gestão e contratação da distribuidora. / As the restructuring of the model of the Brazilian electric sector, with the Project RE-SEB, the electric energy distribution companies in Brazil had to adjust themselves to the new rules of the market, as well as modify their way of manage the company. As the concept of regulation for incentives (price cap model) and competition by market, and not competition in the market, new mechanisms to reduce the risks of the market had been introduced in the model of the electric sector, in such a way that the electric energy distribution companies receive a fair revenue for the service delivered to the society. In this perspective, the efficient management of the company and, consequently, the fact of reaching the goals in the performance targets established by the high administration, depends on the deep knowledge of the rules of market by its technical team , as well as the use of the mechanisms to reduce the risks of the market of the distribution utilities. In this way, this work intends to analyze (i) the main mechanisms available to the distribution companies in order to mitigate the market risks in the process of contract energy supply and to pass-though such costs to the final consumers, as well as (ii) evaluate the rules implemented in the legal regulation framework. Furthermore, to illustrate the analysis, a case study was developed focusing the contract portfolio of a fictitious distribution company, simulating variations in the contracted energy volume as well as in the portfolio composition, evaluating the uses of the mitigation mechanisms of the market risks and solution alternatives to minimize such risks, searching for improvements that could be made in the management strategy of energy supply contracting.