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This text aims to describe the present structure of generation, transmission and consumption of electricity in Paraná, as well as the interventions planned for the near future. There is an urgency to abandon the use of fossil fuels as thermoelectric sources, given the need to slow global warming. Furthermore, the non-circumstantial changes in the hydrological pattern raise uncertainty about the hydroelectric potential and make commercial generation more dependent on sources that generate less environmental damage (wind, solar), even if these are limited by intermittence. Such supply infrequence, in turn, tends to be overcome as the large-scale use of high-capacity batteries becomes economically viable. The text seeks to demonstrate that the generation matrix will become more complex, with the incremental participation of agents that were once only consumers. This process covers the installation of photovoltaic cells in units of all classes of consumption, the use of biomass in agriculture, as well as the transformation of waste in livestock (poultry and swine, inclusive) and in various industries (animal fats in slaughterhouses, black liquor in pulp and paper processing, for example). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electricity consumption was used to test the hypothesis of convergence for the municipalities of Paraná from 2002 to 2016. Static and dynamic convergence was estimated in absolute and conditional forms. Data panel and dynamic panel were used for estimation. The data confirmed the existence of static and dynamic convergence, absolute and conditional in the consumption of electricity in the municipalities of Paraná. Conditional convergence was relatively stronger than absolute convergence in all specifications. Although convergence in electricity consumption was discovered, the convergence speed was relatively low, generating a very high half-life time. Thus, it is suggested that electricity control policies may not yet be efficient in the State of Paraná, since municipalities still need to increase consumption to ensure economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the financial efficiency of electrification cooperatives located in southern Brazil, from 2012 to 2016. Methodology: The research is characterized as the descriptive, survey, a documentary with a quantitative approach through mathematical modeling of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Results: The research results showed that, on average, the electrification cooperatives had an efficiency level above 0.94 in the period investigated. The DEA technique presented the need to reduce the following inputs: operating expenses, noncurrent assets, electricity consumption, amount of electricity purchased, number of employees. On the other hand, indicated the need for increased billing products and quantity of consumers. Given the results it can be concluded that of the 27 cooperatives surveyed, 13 (48%) of them had maximum efficiency levels (1.00). From these results, it can be inferred that managerial actions are necessary to achieve financial efficiency in inefficient cooperatives, as financial sustainability is one of the important pillars for the continuity of public service distribution, organizational sustainability, and development. socioeconomic. The results show that DEA is an important managerial instrument for performance evaluation, as it shows the efficiency level of operations and points out the managerial actions that are necessary to improve organizational performance. Contribution: As a theoretical contribution, the research shows the applicability of the Data Envelopment Analysis technique for analysis of the financial efficiency of cooperatives, as an instrument of multicriteria evaluation of organizational performance. In practical terms, this research provides subsidies to the management of electrification cooperatives, recommending that they pay more attention to management actions to achieve financial efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A manual dexterity can be defined as the skill and ease of using the hands, such as writing, strumming a musical instrument, throwing and catching. Laterality can be conceptualized as the preference of use by one of the members over the other and it is confirmed, for example, in right-handed and left-handed individuals, influencing the different performances of the hands. OBJECTIVE: To compare manual dexterity in right-handed and left-handed users by placing and removing pins in the Grooved Pegboard Test. METHODS: The sample consisted of 20 healthy volunteers, of both sexes, aged between 18 and 40 years, divided into two groups: 5 men and 5 women from the right population and 5 men and 5 women from the population left-handed. Regarding the lateral dominance index, right-handed individuals had an average index of 97% and left-handed individuals, 91%, in the Edinburgh Lateral Dominance Inventory. RESULTS: In the condition of placing the pins, differences were observed between the right-handed [t(df=9)=- 7.16; p=0.01] and left-handed [t(df =9)=4.80; p=0.01], where the use of the preferred hand showed better performance related to the use of the non-preferred hand. As for the condition of removing the pins, no difference was observed between the right and left hands for the right-handed [t(df=9)=-1.96; p=0.08] and neither for the left-handed [t(df=9)=1.27; p=0.23]. Regarding the asymmetry index, no differences were observed between the groups, although it seems that the asymmetries stand out in tasks where the cognitive demand is greater than the energy demand. CONCLUSION: The performance in the tasks of manual dexterity was different for the preferred hand for both right-handed and left-handed people, with the preferred hand presenting a better performance when compared to the non-preferred hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address the question of possible conceptual ways of thinking about organizations in the making. We begin by introducing the concept of border, which seems heuristic to us, to define organizational development as crossing borders. We then propose to consider the border crossing from an intrinsic point of view by adopting a transitional perspective. To address these transitional phenomena, we articulate two conceptual ergonomics frameworks: the course of action and the instrumental approach. Through two contrasting researches from the point of view of the fields of activity (travel narratives and a process of treating a customer demand in the energy field), we confront the ways to hybridize these two theoretical frameworks conceptually, methodologically and empirically. We highlight what results from this hybridization: the so-called transitional instruments that confer continuity to different scales. Finally, we discuss the perspectives opened by a transitional approach to think about organizational genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the potential of producing drinking water through solar desalinizers, and what are the benefits arising from this technology to promote drinking water for populations living in semi-arid regions. To this end, field studies were carried out to measure the daily production of drinking water, to collect water from wells and desalinators for laboratory analysis, and to assess the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of using desalinizers. Thus, it was observed that desalinators are a low-cost, easy-to-build technology that enables benefits such as: safe water supply, which reduces health risks; does not have electricity costs; and uses clean and renewable energy, which inhibits environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companies seek ceaseless competitive advantages and with a highly changing consumer market can create challenges for managers. Through this scenario of changes in supply chain management, it becomes relevant, requiring each constituent component to carry out its best practices, including the implementation of environmental management practices. From the objective of identifying the Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices in chemical companies and how they work in their operations. Through a qualitative and interview-oriented study in four chemical companies, the main contributions are that companies apply GSCM practices in their operations, such as reverse logistics, control of water and electricity consumption, ISO certifications and seek to work with certified suppliers. In addition, it is noted that a sector is regulated and that has concern with the image and reputation of the company. Although positive actions are there, GSCM practices lead to financial investments and creation of new controls in the operational processes of companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]