Optimal Performance and Modeling of Wireless Technology Enabling Smart Electric Metering Systems Including Microgrids.

This work is focused on the performance analysis and optimal routing of wireless technology for intelligent energy metering, considering the inclusion of micro grids. For the study, a geo-referenced scenario has been taken into account, which will form the structure of a graph to be solved using heuristic-based algorithms. In the first instance, the candidate site of the world geography to perform the case study is established, followed by deploying infrastructure devices and determining variables and parameters. Then, the model configuration is programmed, taking into account that a set of nodes and vertices is established for proper routing, resulting in a preliminary wireless network topology. Finally, from a set of restrictions, a determination of users connected to the concentrator and optimal routing is performed. This procedure is treated as a coverage set problem. Consequently, to establish the network parameters, two restrictions are specifically considered, capacity and range; thus, can be determined the best technology to adapt to the location. Finally, a verification of the resulting network topologies and the performance of the infrastructure is done by simulating the wireless network. With the model created, scenarios are tested, and it is verified that the optimization model demonstrates its effectiveness.

Bat rabies surveillance and risk factors for rabies spillover in an urban area of Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Bat rabies surveillance data and risk factors for rabies spillover without human cases have been evaluated in Curitiba, the ninth biggest city in Brazil, during a 6-year period (2010-2015). A retrospective analysis of bat complaints, bat species identification and rabies testing of bats, dogs and cats has been performed using methodologies of seasonal decomposition, spatial distribution and kernel density analysis. RESULTS: Overall, a total of 1003 requests for bat removal have been attended to, and 806 bats were collected in 606 city locations. Bat species were identified among 13 genera of three families, with a higher frequency of Nyctinomops in the central-northern region and Molossidae scattered throughout city limits. Out of the bats captured alive, 419/806 (52.0%) healthy bats were released due to absence of human or animal contacts. The remaining 387/806 (48.0%) bats were sent for euthanasia and rabies testing, which resulted in 9/387 (2.32%) positives. Linear regression has shown an increase on sample numbers tested over time (regression: y = 2.02 + 0.17×; p < 0.001 and r2 = 0.29), as well as significant seasonal variation, which increases in January and decreases in May, June and July. The Kernel density analysis showed the center-northern city area to be statistically important, and the southern region had no tested samples within the period. In addition, a total of 4769 random and suspicious samples were sent for rabies diagnosis including those from dogs, cats, bats and others from 2007 to 2015. While all 2676 dog brains tested negative, only 1/1136 (0.088%) cat brains tested positive for rabies. CONCLUSION: Only non-hematophagous bats were collected during the study, and the highest frequency of collections occurred in the center-northern region of the city. Rabies spillover from bats to cats may be more likely due to the registered exposure associated with cats' innate hunting habits, predisposing them to even closer contact with potentially infected bats. Although associated with a very low frequency of rabies, cats should always be included in rabies surveillance and vaccination programs.

Agronomic and edaphoclimatic characterization high altitude vineyards / Caracterização agronômica e edafoclimática dos vinhedos de elevada altitude

The objective of this research was to perform the agronomic and edaphoclimatic characterization of vineyards and to determine cultivation trends for the main varieties employed in the production of high altitude fine wines in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. High altitude vineyards were considered those vineyards located 900 m above sea level and vineyards belonging to members of the Santa Catarina Association of Altitude Fine Wines located below 900 m altitude. To assess cultivation trends, the vineyards were geo-referenced, following the Embrapa Uva e Vinho guidelines. To perform the edaphoclimatic characterization, the vineyard polygons were overlaid with physiographic, climatic and soil maps in a Geographic Information System. The characterization of the high altitude vineyards was based on planted area. The varieties with greatest areas were Cabernet Sauvignon (37.9%), Merlot (14.5%) Chardonnay (8.0%) and Sauvignon Blanc (7.5%). From 2009 to 2013 vineyards with C. Sauvignon were replaced for white varieties and for Pinot Noir, especially in altitudes over 1,100 m. A trend in the use of white varieties and Pinot Noir in new vineyards was identified, but the main trend was the increase of experimental areas, with additional 60 varieties of red and white grapes. In relation to physiography, the norm of the Acavitis requires that the vineyards of their associates be located above [...]

O objetivo desse trabalho foi realizar a caracterização agronômica e edafoclimática dos vinhedos e determinar as tendências de uso das principais variedades para produzir vinhos finos nas regiões de elevada altitude do Estado de Santa Catarina. Foram considerados vinhedos de elevada altitude os vinhedos localizados acima de 900 m em relação ao nível do mar e os vinhedos pertencentes aos associados da Associação Catarinense de Vinhos Finos de Altitude (Acavitis) localizados em altitudes inferiores a 900 m. Para avaliar as tendências de cultivo foi realizado um cadastro georreferenciado, seguindo as normas da Embrapa Uva e Vinho. Para realizar a caracterização edafoclimática, as áreas dos vinhedos foram cruzadas com mapas fisiográficos, climáticos e pedológicos em um Sistema de Informações Geográficas. A caracterização dos vinhedos de elevada altitude foi realizada com base na área plantada. As variedades com maior área foram Cabernet Sauvignon (37,9%), Merlot (14,5%), Chardonnay (8,0%) e Sauvignon Blanc (7,5%). De 2009 a 2013 houve substituição de C. Sauvignon por variedades brancas e Pinot Noir, principalmente nas altitudes superiores a 1.100 m. Houve uma tendência no uso de variedades brancas e Pinot Noir em vinhedos novos, mas a principal tendência observada foi no crescimento de áreas experimentais, com outras 60 variedades tintas e brancas. Em relação à fisiografia, a [...]

Agronomic and edaphoclimatic characterization high altitude vineyards / Caracterização agronômica e edafoclimática dos vinhedos de elevada altitude

The objective of this research was to perform the agronomic and edaphoclimatic characterization of vineyards and to determine cultivation trends for the main varieties employed in the production of high altitude fine wines in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. High altitude vineyards were considered those vineyards located 900 m above sea level and vineyards belonging to members of the Santa Catarina Association of Altitude Fine Wines located below 900 m altitude. To assess cultivation trends, the vineyards were geo-referenced, following the Embrapa Uva e Vinho guidelines. To perform the edaphoclimatic characterization, the vineyard polygons were overlaid with physiographic, climatic and soil maps in a Geographic Information System. The characterization of the high altitude vineyards was based on planted area. The varieties with greatest areas were Cabernet Sauvignon (37.9%), Merlot (14.5%) Chardonnay (8.0%) and Sauvignon Blanc (7.5%). From 2009 to 2013 vineyards with C. Sauvignon were replaced for white varieties and for Pinot Noir, especially in altitudes over 1,100 m. A trend in the use of white varieties and Pinot Noir in new vineyards was identified, but the main trend was the increase of experimental areas, with additional 60 varieties of red and white grapes. In relation to physiography, the norm of the Acavitis requires that the vineyards of their associates be located above [...](AU)

O objetivo desse trabalho foi realizar a caracterização agronômica e edafoclimática dos vinhedos e determinar as tendências de uso das principais variedades para produzir vinhos finos nas regiões de elevada altitude do Estado de Santa Catarina. Foram considerados vinhedos de elevada altitude os vinhedos localizados acima de 900 m em relação ao nível do mar e os vinhedos pertencentes aos associados da Associação Catarinense de Vinhos Finos de Altitude (Acavitis) localizados em altitudes inferiores a 900 m. Para avaliar as tendências de cultivo foi realizado um cadastro georreferenciado, seguindo as normas da Embrapa Uva e Vinho. Para realizar a caracterização edafoclimática, as áreas dos vinhedos foram cruzadas com mapas fisiográficos, climáticos e pedológicos em um Sistema de Informações Geográficas. A caracterização dos vinhedos de elevada altitude foi realizada com base na área plantada. As variedades com maior área foram Cabernet Sauvignon (37,9%), Merlot (14,5%), Chardonnay (8,0%) e Sauvignon Blanc (7,5%). De 2009 a 2013 houve substituição de C. Sauvignon por variedades brancas e Pinot Noir, principalmente nas altitudes superiores a 1.100 m. Houve uma tendência no uso de variedades brancas e Pinot Noir em vinhedos novos, mas a principal tendência observada foi no crescimento de áreas experimentais, com outras 60 variedades tintas e brancas. Em relação à fisiografia, a [...](AU)

Agricultural exploitation impact on the quality of natural waters in the trout-breeding region of the Mantiqueira ecological corridor / Impacto da exploração agropecuária na qualidade de águas naturais em região de truticultura no corredor ecológico da Mantiqueira

Seasonal assessment of water quality was undertaken in an agricultural cattle-raising and trout-breeding region. Seventeen sites were sampled in ten municipalities close to the Papagaio and Ibitipoca State Parks in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Landsat 5 satellite images and Spotmap mosaic images with resolution of 2.5 m were employed to correlate classes of land use and topographic characteristics with the environmental contamination index of the water bodies at these sites. Results show a change in hydric classification of three sites evaluated. During the rainy season, sites 3, 7 and 17 were classified as class 3 according to CONAMA regulations, whereas the other sites were classified as class 2. During the dry season, sites 10 and 11 belonged to class 3 and the others to class 2. Literature and analysis of images and visits on the area showed that the principles of sustainable farming were not being followed in the region. Current research may be a tool for planning the preservation of natural resources. Results indicate there is a need for specific planning for fish farming and agriculture in the region for its sustainable economic exploitation.

Realizou-se a avaliação sazonal da qualidade da água, em região de truticultura e agropecuária, por amostragem, em 17 pontos, dez municípios, em torno dos parques estaduais do Papagaio e do Ibitipoca em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Usando imagens gratuitas Landsat 5 e imagens de mosaico Spotmap, resolução de 2,5 m, correlacionando as classes de uso da terra e características topográficas com o índice de contaminação ambiental dos corpos d'água nesses pontos. Os resultados mostram alteração da classificação hídrica de três dos pontos avaliados. Na época das chuvas, os pontos 3, 7 e 17 foram classificados como classe 3, de acordo com as normas do Conama (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente), enquanto os outros pontos foram 2. Durante a estação seca, os pontos 10 e 11 eram de classe 3 e os outros como classe 2. A revisão de literatura, com a análise das imagens e visitas na área, mostrou que os princípios da agricultura sustentável não estão sendo seguidos na área. Este trabalho serve como ferramenta para o planejamento para preservação dos recursos naturais. Os resultados indicam que há a necessidade de um planejamento específico para a criação de peixes e agropecuária na região, permitindo assim sua exploração sustentável.

Agricultural exploitation impact on the quality of natural waters in the trout-breeding region of the Mantiqueira ecological corridor / Impacto da exploração agropecuária na qualidade de águas naturais em região de truticultura no corredor ecológico da Mantiqueira

Seasonal assessment of water quality was undertaken in an agricultural cattle-raising and trout-breeding region. Seventeen sites were sampled in ten municipalities close to the Papagaio and Ibitipoca State Parks in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Landsat 5 satellite images and Spotmap mosaic images with resolution of 2.5 m were employed to correlate classes of land use and topographic characteristics with the environmental contamination index of the water bodies at these sites. Results show a change in hydric classification of three sites evaluated. During the rainy season, sites 3, 7 and 17 were classified as class 3 according to CONAMA regulations, whereas the other sites were classified as class 2. During the dry season, sites 10 and 11 belonged to class 3 and the others to class 2. Literature and analysis of images and visits on the area showed that the principles of sustainable farming were not being followed in the region. Current research may be a tool for planning the preservation of natural resources. Results indicate there is a need for specific planning for fish farming and agriculture in the region for its sustainable economic exploitation.(AU)

Realizou-se a avaliação sazonal da qualidade da água, em região de truticultura e agropecuária, por amostragem, em 17 pontos, dez municípios, em torno dos parques estaduais do Papagaio e do Ibitipoca em Minas Gerais, Brasil. Usando imagens gratuitas Landsat 5 e imagens de mosaico Spotmap, resolução de 2,5 m, correlacionando as classes de uso da terra e características topográficas com o índice de contaminação ambiental dos corpos d"água nesses pontos. Os resultados mostram alteração da classificação hídrica de três dos pontos avaliados. Na época das chuvas, os pontos 3, 7 e 17 foram classificados como classe 3, de acordo com as normas do Conama (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente), enquanto os outros pontos foram 2. Durante a estação seca, os pontos 10 e 11 eram de classe 3 e os outros como classe 2. A revisão de literatura, com a análise das imagens e visitas na área, mostrou que os princípios da agricultura sustentável não estão sendo seguidos na área. Este trabalho serve como ferramenta para o planejamento para preservação dos recursos naturais. Os resultados indicam que há a necessidade de um planejamento específico para a criação de peixes e agropecuária na região, permitindo assim sua exploração sustentável.(AU)