Potential hydroponics systems for seed potato production in tropical conditions

In tropical conditions such as Brazil, depending on the local altitude, potatoes can be planted and harvested in every month of the year successively, which favors pest and disease incidence, especially aphids transmission viruses. Therefore, obtaining good yield depends on constant pest and disease control and quality potato seed acquisition. One of the main strategies to increase a healthier seed potato multiplication rate and production is the use of hydroponic systems, with or without substrates, in channels, pots or boxes. In 2005 and 2008, researches investigated several hydroponic systems with and without the use of substrates. In the hydroponic systems without substrate, the aeroponic system resulted in the highest multiplication rate, with 47 tubers plant-1 compared to NFT and DFT, 35 and 37 tubers plant-1, respectively. With the use of substrates, the pot system obtained better results, reaching 12 tubers plant-1, followed by the capillary system and boxes, with 8 and 7 tubers plant-1, respectively. Potato seed production was influenced by hydroponics systems. Among hydroponic systems with substrate, the pots were shown as the best option. However, higher yields were obtained in the hydroponics systems without substrate, with the aeroponic system that provided the best results.

Wireless mesh networks planning based on parameters of quality of service

The use of QoS parameters to evaluate the quality of service in a mesh network is essential mainly when providing multimedia services. This paper proposes an algorithm for planning wireless mesh networks in order to satisfy some QoS parameters, given a set of test points (TPs) and potential access points (APs). Examples of QoS parameters include: probability of packet loss and mean delay in responding to a request. The proposed algorithm uses a Mathematical Programming model to determine an adequate topology for the network and Monte Carlo simulation to verify whether the QoS parameters are being satisfied. The results obtained show that the proposed algorithm is able to find satisfactory solutions.

A proposal for reliability evaluation of components on electric power distribution system integrating probabilistic models and fuzzy inference systems

The system reliability depends on the reliability of its components itself. Therefore, it is necessary a methodology capable of inferring the state of functionality of these components to establish reliable indices of quality. Allocation models for maintenance and protective devices, among others, have been used in order to improve the quality and availability of services on electric power distribution systems. This paper proposes a methodology for assessing the reliability of distribution system components in an integrated way, using probabilistic models and fuzzy inference systems to infer about the operation probability of each component. © 2012 IEEE.

The assessment of the quality of sugar using electronic tongue and machine learning algorithms

The correct classification of sugar according to its physico-chemical characteristics directly influences the value of the product and its acceptance by the market. This study shows that using an electronic tongue system along with established techniques of supervised learning leads to the correct classification of sugar samples according to their qualities. In this paper, we offer two new real, public and non-encoded sugar datasets whose attributes were automatically collected using an electronic tongue, with and without pH controlling. Moreover, we compare the performance achieved by several established machine learning methods. Our experiments were diligently designed to ensure statistically sound results and they indicate that k-nearest neighbors method outperforms other evaluated classifiers and, hence, it can be used as a good baseline for further comparison. © 2012 IEEE.

Artificial neural network model of discharge lamps in the power quality context

This paper presents a methodology for modeling high intensity discharge lamps based on artificial neural networks. The methodology provides a model which is able to represent the device operating in the frequency of distribution systems, facing events related to power quality. With the aid of a data acquisition system to monitor the laboratory experiment, and using $$\text{ MATLAB }^{\textregistered }$$ software, data was obtained for the training of two neural networks. These neural networks, working together, were able to represent with high fidelity the behavior of a discharge lamp. The excellent performance obtained by these models allowed the simulation of a group of lamps in a distribution system with shorter simulation time when compared to mathematical models. This fact justified the application of this family of loads in electric power systems. The representation of the device facing power quality disturbances also proved to be a useful tool for more complex studies in distribution systems. © 2013 Brazilian Society for Automatics - SBA.

Performance of laying hens and economic viability of different climatization systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Development of national statistical systems and the responsibilities of national statistical offices

Includes bibliography

Guidelines for the integration of certifiable management systems in industrial companies

Organizations often operate in turbulent environments characterized by intense competitiveness, constant technological progress, new market requirements, and scarce natural resources. This scenario imposes the constant need for change in the operation and companies' management. The integration of certifiable management systems is an effective alternative in this sense. The objective of the present study is to propose guidelines for the integration of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS), ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) in industrial companies. These guidelines were developed based on a theoretical framework and on the results from fourteen case studies performed in Brazilian industrial companies. The proposed guidelines were divided into three phases: A) integration planning, b) integration development, and c) integration control and improvement.

ISO 9000 standards: quality as a market strategy

In a context of increasing globalization it is essential to have a comprehensive system to guarantee the quality of the final products and inputs that are traded around the world. The main goal is to satisfy the expectations and needs of the final customer, wherever s/he may be. The quality management systems set out in the ISO 9000 standards, used in conjunction with third party certification, have become a factor in market success for all commercial and industrial firms that have achieved this goal.

Measuring the impact of quality infrastructure in Latin America: Experiences, achievements and limitations

This document, which is partly based on by the study Impacto de la Infraestructura de la Calidad en América Latina, is a second joint effort by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) to move towards a more detailed understanding of the role played by the Quality Infrastructure in opening up possibilities for the countries in the region to innovate and compete. Through methodological analysis and the realization of case studies at the national level in certain countries in the region, the document seeks to offer a more comprehensive picture of the impact of the Quality Infrastructure and its importance for the economic and social development of countries. The document analyzes various QI related aspects, with particular emphasis on a review of conceptual elements, the role of the QI in the innovation systems of countries and a brief analysis of a set of case studies in Latin American countries. It also identifies a series of challenges and limitations for carrying out impact studies. These elements are taken up again in the final conclusions of the book, where a number of policy recommendations are outlined.

eHealth handbook for managers of healthcare services and systems

Prefacio de Alicia Bárcena y Luciano Sáez

Activity of some isoenzymatic systems in stored coffee grains

Considering the worldwide consumption of coffee, it is natural that throughout the history many people have dedicated the research to markers that contribute somehow on gauging its quality. This research aimed to evaluate the biochemical performance of arabica coffee during storage. Coffee in beans (natural) and in parchment (pulped) dried in concrete terrace and in dryer with heated air were packed in jute bags and stored in not controlled environmental conditions. Enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, esterase and lipoxygenase in coffee grains were evaluated at zero, three, six, nine and twelve months by means of electrophoresis. Independently of the drying method, the activity of isoenzymatic complexes highlighted deteriorative processes in stored grains of coffee. The treatments 60/40º C and 60º C used to reduce the water content imposed a greater stress condition, accelerated metabolism of natural coffee in the storage with decreased activity of defense mechanisms due to latent damage in these grains. Natural coffees are more sensible to high drying temperatures and its quality reduces faster than pulped coffee in the storage.

Physical quality of an Oxisol under an integrated crop-livestock-forest system in the Brazilian Cerrado

Soil physical quality is an important factor for the sustainability of agricultural systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil physical properties and soil organic carbon in a Typic Acrudox under an integrated crop-livestock-forest system. The experiment was carried out in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of seven systems: integrated crop-livestock-forest, with 357 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 30 cm (CLF357-30); integrated crop-livestock-forest with 357 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 45 cm (CLF357-45); integrated crop-livestock-forest with 227 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 30 cm (CLF227-30); integrated crop-livestock-forest with 227 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 45 cm (CLF227-45); integrated crop-livestock with pasture height of 30 cm (CL30); integrated crop-livestock with pasture height of 45 cm (CL45) and native vegetation (NV). Soil properties were evaluated for the depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. All grazing treatments increased bulk density (r b) and penetration resistance (PR), and decreased total porosity (¦t) and macroporosity (¦ma), compared to NV. The values of r b (1.18-1.47 Mg m-3), ¦ma (0.14-0.17 m³ m-3) and PR (0.62-0.81 MPa) at the 0-10 cm depth were not restrictive to plant growth. The change in land use from NV to CL or CLF decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) and the soil organic carbon pool (SOCpool). All grazing treatments had a similar SOCpool at the 0-10 cm depth and were lower than that for NV (17.58 Mg ha-1).

Effects of traffic control on the soil physical quality and the cultivation of sugarcane

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fuzzy Index for Public Supply Water Quality

Human population growth and increased industrial activity in recent decades have contributed to a range of environmental problems, including the contamination of groundwater and surface water. In order to help in the management of these resources, water quality indices are used as tools to summarize multiple parameters and express them in the form of a single number. The ability to provide both an integrated assessment of changes in environmental variables, as well as performance tracking, has resulted in such indices being increasingly employed in surface water monitoring programs. The aim of this study was to develop an Index for Public Supply Water Quality (IPS) using a fuzzy inference methodology. Linguistic systems generally provide satisfactory tools for qualitative purposes, enabling the inclusion of descriptive variables with reduced loss of individual information. Validation of the technique was achieved by analysis of measurement data obtained for the Sorocaba River, provided by CETESB. The new procedure proved more rigorous, compared to classical IPS. It could be readily applied in the evaluation of other water bodies, or be adjusted to incorporate additional parameters also considered important for the assessment of water quality.