Genetic associations among average annual productivity, growth traits, and stayability: A parallel between Nelore and composite beef cattle

This study was conducted to examine the relationship among average annual productivity of the cow (PRODAM), yearling weight (YW), postweaning BW gain (PWG), scrotal circumference (SC), and stayability in the herd for at least 6 yr (STAY) of Nelore and composite beef cattle. Measurements were taken on animals born between 1980 and 2010 on 70 farms located in 7 Brazilian states. Estimates of heritability and genetic and environmental correlations were obtained by Bayesian approach with 5-trait animal models. Genetic trends were estimated by regressing means of estimated breeding values by year of birth. The heritability estimates were between 0.14 and 0.47. Estimates of genetic correlation among female traits (PRODAM and STAY) and growth traits ranged from-0.02 to 0.30. Estimates of genetic correlations ranged from 0.23 to 0.94 among growth traits indicating that selection for these traits could be successful in tropical breeding programs. Genetic correlations among all traits were favorable and simultaneous selection for growth, productivity, and stayability is therefore possible. Genetic correlation between PRODAM and STAY was 0.99 and 0.85 for Nelore and composite cattle, respectively. Therefore, PRODAM and STAY might be influenced by many of the same genes. The inclusion of PRODAM instead of STAY as a selection criterion seems to be more advantageous for tropical breeding programs because the generation interval required to obtain accurate estimates of genetic merit for PRODAM is shorter. Average annual genetic changes were greater in Nelore than in composite cattle. This was not unexpected because the breeding program of composite cattle included a large number of farms, different production environments, and genetic level of the herds and breeds. Thus, the selection process has become more difficult in this population. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Multilayer perceptron neural networks training through charged system search and its Application for non-technical losses detection

The non-technical loss is not a problem with trivial solution or regional character and its minimization represents the guarantee of investments in product quality and maintenance of power systems, introduced by a competitive environment after the period of privatization in the national scene. In this paper, we show how to improve the training phase of a neural network-based classifier using a recently proposed meta-heuristic technique called Charged System Search, which is based on the interactions between electrically charged particles. The experiments were carried out in the context of non-technical loss in power distribution systems in a dataset obtained from a Brazilian electrical power company, and have demonstrated the robustness of the proposed technique against with several others nature-inspired optimization techniques for training neural networks. Thus, it is possible to improve some applications on Smart Grids. © 2013 IEEE.

Using baseline methods to identify non-technical losses in the context of smart grids

Demand response has gained increasing importance in the context of competitive electricity markets and smart grid environments. In addition to the importance that has been given to the development of business models for integrating demand response, several methods have been developed to evaluate the consumers' performance after the participation in a demand response event. The present paper uses those performance evaluation methods, namely customer baseline load calculation methods, to determine the expected consumption in each period of the consumer historic data. In the cases in which there is a certain difference between the actual consumption and the estimated consumption, the consumer is identified as a potential cause of non-technical losses. A case study demonstrates the application of the proposed method to real consumption data. © 2013 IEEE.

Produtividade e perdas de amendoim em cinco diferentes datas de arranquio

The harvest is a critical time in the production of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), however in this operation losses are inevitable, in some cases o f up to 30% of production. Peanuts are grown for a short period during the reform of the sugarcane fields, providing better usage of the agricultural spaces in Jaboticabal, São Paulo. The objective of this research was to see how early the peanuts could be dug up once they are seen to have matured. The peanuts were dug up at 120, 125, 130, 135 and 140 days after sowing. Results were subjected to variance analysis by the F-test, and when there was significance of the averages, the Tukey test at 5% probability was applied, using a box plot for the following variables: maturation, moisture content of pods and soil, mechanical resistance of soil to penetration, harvest loss and productivity. The box plot proved efficient in the univariate evaluation of the analyzed variables, creating excellent conditions for viewing their behavior. Digging up the peanuts at 120 DAS is recommended.

Apoyo a la productividad de los pobres rurales: nuevas experiencias en América Latina y el Caribe = Support for the productivity of the rural poor: new experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Pobres, urbanos y productividad: claves de intervención = Urban poor and productivity: keys to action

Incluye Bibliografía

Urban poor and productivity: keys to action. Public programmes aimed at raising productivity of poor sectors in urban areas of Jamaica

Includes bibliography

Apoyo a la productividad de los pobres rurales: nuevas experiencias en América Latina y el Caribe: current experience in increasing the productivity level among the poor sector in rural areas of Dominica: the case of Petite Savanne

Includes bibliography

Social dimensions of economic development and productivity: inequality and social performance

Includes bibliography

Social dimensions of economic development and productivity: inequality and social performance: an overview

Includes bibliography