Evaluation and Comparison of Anatomical Landmark Detection Methods for Cephalometric X-Ray Images: A Grand Challenge

Cephalometric analysis is an essential clinical and research tool in orthodontics for the orthodontic analysis and treatment planning. This paper presents the evaluation of the methods submitted to the Automatic Cephalometric X-Ray Landmark Detection Challenge, held at the IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging 2014 with an on-site competition. The challenge was set to explore and compare automatic landmark detection methods in application to cephalometric X-ray images. Methods were evaluated on a common database including cephalograms of 300 patients aged six to 60 years, collected from the Dental Department, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan, and manually marked anatomical landmarks as the ground truth data, generated by two experienced medical doctors. Quantitative evaluation was performed to compare the results of a representative selection of current methods submitted to the challenge. Experimental results show that three methods are able to achieve detection rates greater than 80% using the 4 mm precision range, but only one method achieves a detection rate greater than 70% using the 2 mm precision range, which is the acceptable precision range in clinical practice. The study provides insights into the performance of different landmark detection approaches under real-world conditions and highlights achievements and limitations of current image analysis techniques.

Final Results of a Prospective Evaluation of the Predictive Value of Interim Positron Emission Tomography in Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated With R-CHOP-14 (SAKK 38/07)

PURPOSE Our main objective was to prospectively determine the prognostic value of [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) after two cycles of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone given every 14 days (R-CHOP-14) under standardized treatment and PET evaluation criteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with any stage of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were treated with six cycles of R-CHOP-14 followed by two cycles of rituximab. PET/CT examinations were performed at baseline, after two cycles (and after four cycles if the patient was PET-positive after two cycles), and at the end of treatment. PET/CT examinations were evaluated locally and by central review. The primary end point was event-free survival at 2 years (2-year EFS). RESULTS Median age of the 138 evaluable patients was 58.5 years with a WHO performance status of 0, 1, or 2 in 56%, 36%, or 8% of the patients, respectively. By local assessment, 83 PET/CT scans (60%) were reported as positive and 55 (40%) as negative after two cycles of R-CHOP-14. Two-year EFS was significantly shorter for PET-positive compared with PET-negative patients (48% v 74%; P = .004). Overall survival at 2 years was not significantly different, with 88% for PET-positive versus 91% for PET-negative patients (P = .46). By using central review and the Deauville criteria, 2-year EFS was 41% versus 76% (P < .001) for patients who had interim PET/CT scans after two cycles of R-CHOP-14 and 24% versus 72% (P < .001) for patients who had PET/CT scans at the end of treatment. CONCLUSION Our results confirmed that an interim PET/CT scan has limited prognostic value in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma homogeneously treated with six cycles of R-CHOP-14 in a large prospective trial. At this point, interim PET/CT scanning is not ready for clinical use to guide treatment decisions in individual patients.

Causes, forms and consequences of the professionalization of international sport federa-tions in Switzerland: Conceptual framework and first results

Synopsis: Sport organisations are facing multiple challenges originating from an increasingly complex and dynamic environment in general, and from internal changes in particular. Our study seeks to reveal and analyse the causes for professionalization processes in international sport federations, the forms resulting from it, as well as related consequences. Abstract: AIM OF ABSTRACT/PAPER - RESEARCH QUESTION Sport organisations are facing multiple challenges originating from an increasingly complex and dynamic environment in general, and from internal changes in particular. In this context, professionalization seems to have been adopted by sport organisations as an appropriate strategy to respond to pressures such as becoming more ���business-like���. The ongoing study seeks to reveal and analyse the internal and external causes for professionalization processes in international sport federations, the forms resulting from it (e.g. organisational, managerial, economic) as well as related consequences on objectives, values, governance methods, performance management or again rationalisation. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND/LITERATURE REVIEW Studies on sport as specific non-profit sector mainly focus on the prospect of the ���professionalization of individuals��� (Thibault, Slack & Hinings, 1991), often within sport clubs (Thiel, Meier & Cachay, 2006) and national sport federations (Seippel, 2002) or on organisational change (Griginov & Sandanski, 2008; Slack & Hinings, 1987, 1992; Slack, 1985, 2001), thus leaving broader analysis on governance, management and professionalization in sport organisations an unaccomplished task. In order to further current research on above-mentioned topics, our intention is to analyse causes, forms and consequences of professionalisation processes in international sport federations. The social theory of action (Coleman, 1986; Esser, 1993) has been defined as appropriate theoretical framework, deriving in the following a multi-level framework for the analysis of sport organisations (Nagel, 2007). In light of the multi-level framework, sport federations are conceptualised as corporative actors whose objectives are defined and implemented with regard to the interests of member organisations (Heinemann, 2004) and/or other pressure groups. In order to understand social acting and social structures (Giddens 1984) of sport federations, two levels are in the focus of our analysis: the macro level examining the environment at large (political, social, economic systems etc.) and the meso level (Esser, 1999) examining organisational structures, actions and decisions of the federation���s headquarter as well as member organisations. METHODOLOGY, RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS The multi-level framework mentioned seeks to gather and analyse information on causes, forms and consequences of professionalization processes in sport federations. It is applied in a twofold approach: first an exploratory study based on nine semi-structured interviews with experts from umbrella sport organisations (IOC, WADA, ASOIF, AIOWF, etc.) as well as the analysis of related documents, relevant reports (IOC report 2000 on governance reform, Agenda 2020, etc.) and important moments of change in the Olympic Movement (Olympic revenue share, IOC evaluation criteria, etc.); and secondly several case studies. Whereas the exploratory study seeks more the causes for professionalization on an external, internal and headquarter level as depicted in the literature, the case studies rather focus on forms and consequences. Applying our conceptual framework, the analysis of forms is built around three dimensions: 1) Individuals (persons and positions), 2) Processes, structures (formalisation, specialisation), 3) Activities (strategic planning). With regard to consequences, we centre our attention on expectations of and relationships with stakeholders (e.g. cooperation with business partners), structure, culture and processes (e.g. governance models, performance), and expectations of and relationships with member organisations (e.g. centralisation vs. regionalisation). For the case studies, a mixed-method approach is applied to collect relevant data: questionnaires for rather quantitative data, interviews for rather qualitative data, as well as document and observatory analysis. RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS With regard to causes of professionalization processes, we analyse the content of three different levels: 1. the external level, where the main pressure derives from financial resources (stakeholders, benefactors) and important turning points (scandals, media pressure, IOC requirements for Olympic sports); 2. the internal level, where pressure from member organisations turned out to be less decisive than assumed (little involvement of member organisations in decision-making); 3. the headquarter level, where specific economic models (World Cups, other international circuits, World Championships), and organisational structures (decision-making procedures, values, leadership) trigger or hinder a federation���s professionalization process. Based on our first analysis, an outline for an economic model is suggested, distinguishing four categories of IFs: ���money-generating IFs��� being rather based on commercialisation and strategic alliances; ���classical Olympic IFs��� being rather reactive and dependent on Olympic revenue; ���classical non-Olympic IFs��� being rather independent of the Olympic Movement; and ���money-receiving IFs��� being dependent on benefactors and having strong traditions and values. The results regarding forms and consequences will be outlined in the presentation. The first results from the two pilot studies will allow us to refine our conceptual framework for subsequent case studies, thus extending our data collection and developing fundamental conclusions. References: Bayle, E., & Robinson, L. (2007). A framework for understanding the performance of national governing bodies of sport. European Sport Management Quarterly, 7, 249���268 Chantelat, P. (2001). La professionnalisation des organisations sportives: Nouveaux d��bats, nouveaux enjeux [Professionalisation of sport organisations]. Paris: L���Harmattan. Dowling, M., Edwards, J., & Washington, M. (2014). Understanding the concept of professionalization in sport management research. Sport Management Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.smr.2014.02.003 Ferkins, L. & Shilbury, D. (2012). Good Boards Are Strategic: What Does That Mean for Sport Governance? Journal of Sport Management, 26, 67-80. Thibault, L., Slack, T., & Hinings, B. (1991). Professionalism, structures and systems: The impact of professional staff on voluntary sport organizations. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 26, 83���97.

Evaluation of farm-level parameters derived from animal movements for use in risk-based surveillance programmes of cattle in Switzerland

BACKGROUND: This study focused on the descriptive analysis of cattle movements and farm-level parameters derived from cattle movements, which are considered to be generically suitable for risk-based surveillance systems in Switzerland for diseases where animal movements constitute an important risk pathway. METHODS: A framework was developed to select farms for surveillance based on a risk score summarizing 5 parameters. The proposed framework was validated using data from the bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) surveillance programme in 2013. RESULTS: A cumulative score was calculated per farm, including the following parameters; the maximum monthly ingoing contact chain (in 2012), the average number of animals per incoming movement, use of mixed alpine pastures and the number of weeks in 2012 a farm had movements registered. The final score for the farm depended on the distribution of the parameters. Different cut offs; 50, 90, 95 and 99%, were explored. The final scores ranged between 0 and 5. Validation of the scores against results from the BVD surveillance programme 2013 gave promising results for setting the cut off for each of the five selected farm level criteria at the 50th percentile. Restricting testing to farms with a score���������2 would have resulted in the same number of detected BVD positive farms as testing all farms, i.e., the outcome of the 2013 surveillance programme could have been reached with a smaller survey. CONCLUSIONS: The seasonality and time dependency of the activity of single farms in the networks requires a careful assessment of the actual time period included to determine farm level criteria. However, selecting farms in the sample for risk-based surveillance can be optimized with the proposed scoring system. The system was validated using data from the BVD eradication program. The proposed method is a promising framework for the selection of farms according to the risk of infection based on animal movements.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Fresh and Healthy Program

Background. Diets high in fat and calories are promoted by the toxic food environment in which high fat, high calorie foods are readily accessible, thus contributing to high rates of overweight and obesity.^ Hypothesis. Changing the food environment to make low-fat, low-calorie foods readily identifiable and accessible while simultaneously offering incentives for choosing those foods will result in increased consumption of targeted foods, thus decreasing caloric and fat intake and ultimately decreasing obesity rates.^ Objective. To conduct an outcome evaluation study on the effectiveness of The Fresh & Healthy Program, a health promotion project designed to promote healthy eating among The Methodist Hospital employees by labeling and promoting low calorie, low fat items in the hospital cafeteria. ^ Program. By promoting healthy eating, this program seeks to address unhealthy dietary behaviors, one of the most widely known and influential behavioral causes of obesity. Food items that are included in the program meet nutritional criteria for calories and fat and are labeled with a special logo. Program participants receive incentives for purchasing Fresh & Healthy items. The program was designed and implemented by a team of registered dietitians, two health education specialists, and retail foodservice managers at The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston and has been in existence since April 2006.^ Methods. The evaluation uses a non-randomized, one-group, time series design to evaluate the effect of the program on sales of targeted food items.^ Key words. point-of-purchase, menu labeling, environmental obesity interventions, food pricing interventions ^

Process evaluation of the Texas occupational safety & health surveillance system

Introduction: The Texas Occupational Safety & Health Surveillance System (TOSHSS) was created to collect, analyze and interpret occupational injury and illness data in order to decrease the impact of occupational injuries within the state of Texas. This process evaluation was performed midway through the 4-year grant to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the surveillance system���s planning and implementation activities1. ^ Methods: Two evaluation guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used as the theoretical models for this process evaluation. The Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health was used to examine the planning and design of TOSHSS using logic models. The Framework for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems was used to examine the implementation of approximately 60 surveillance activities, including uses of the data obtained from the surveillance system. ^ Results/Discussion: TOSHSS planning activities omitted the creation of a scientific advisory committee and specific activities designed to maintain contacts with stakeholders; and proposed activities should be reassessed and aligned with ongoing performance measurement criteria, including the role of collaborators in helping the surveillance system achieve each proposed activity. TOSHSS implementation activities are substantially meeting expectations and received an overall score of 61% for all activities being performed. TOSHSS is considered a surveillance system that is simple, flexible, acceptable, fairly stable, timely, moderately useful, with good data quality and a PVP of 86%. ^ Conclusions: Through the third year of TOSHSS implementation, the surveillance system is has made a considerable contribution to the collection of occupational injury and illness information within the state of Texas. Implementation of the nine recommendations provided under this process evaluation is expected to increase the overall usefulness of the surveillance system and assist TDSHS in reducing occupational fatalities, injuries, and diseases within the state of Texas. ^ 1 Disclaimer: The Texas Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance System is supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number (U60 OH008473-01A1). The content of the current evaluation are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.^

A comparative review of water disinfection methods appropriate for developing countries and their efficacy, cost-efficiency, and usability

Developing countries are heavily burdened by limited access to safe drinking water and subsequent water-related diseases. Numerous water treatment interventions combat this public health crisis, encompassing both traditional and less-common methods. Of these, water disinfection serves as an important means to provide safe drinking water. Existing literature discusses a wide range of traditional treatment options and encourages the use of multi-barrier approaches including coagulation-flocculation, filtration, and disinfection. Most sources do not delve into approaches specifically appropriate for developing countries, nor do they exclusively examine water disinfection methods.^ The objective of this review is to focus on an extensive range of chemical, physio-chemical, and physical water disinfection techniques to provide a compilation, description and evaluation of options available. Such an objective provides further understanding and knowledge to better inform water treatment interventions and explores alternate means of water disinfection appropriate for developing countries. Appropriateness for developing countries corresponds to the effectiveness of an available, easy to use disinfection technique at providing safe drinking water at a low cost.^ Among chemical disinfectants, SWS sodium hypochlorite solution is preferred over sodium hypochlorite bleach due to consistent concentrations. Tablet forms are highly recommended chemical disinfectants because they are effective and very easy to use, but also because they are stable. Examples include sodium dichloroisocyanurate, calcium hypochlorite, and chlorine dioxide, which vary in cost depending on location and availability. Among physio-chemical disinfection options, electrolysis which produces mixed oxidants (MIOX) provides a highly effective disinfection option with a higher upfront cost but very low cost over the long term. Among physical disinfection options, solar disinfection (SODIS) applications are effective, but they treat only a fixed volume of water at a time. They come with higher initial costs but very low on-going costs. Additional effective disinfection techniques may be suitable depending on the location, availability and cost.^

Engaging stakeholders in community-level obesity prevention programming: Evaluation of the Fit Family Challenge

Introduction: Both a systems approach to change and a focus on multi-sector interventions ensures obesity prevention programming within the community is equitable, sustainable, and cost-effective. An authentic community engagement approach is required to implement interventions guided by best-evidence research and practice. Although there are examples illustrating the benefits of community engagement, there is no standardized method to implement it. The San Antonio Sports Foundation (SA Sports), a non-profit community-based organization, implements a variety of free events and programs promoting active life styles. One such program is the Fit Family Challenge which is a summer-long program implemented at the school level targeted at families. ^ Aims: This thesis was a culmination of the experience from the student collaborating with SA Sports as part of a practicum opportunity. Using secondary data collected by the Fit Family Challenge during the 2011 year, the goals of this thesis were: to assess individual changes; evaluate short-term impact; and describe the community engagement process. ^ Methods: SA Sports collected quantitative and qualitative data during the implementation and evaluation of the FFC program. SA Sports allowed the used of de-identified data to be analyzed to study the aims of this thesis. ^ Results: The program was able to provide families with the knowledge, information, and opportunity to exercise as a family and cook healthier meals. School district coordinators were generally satisfied and illustrated the benefits of a community partnership. An authentic community engagement was present highlighting the importance of communication, collaboration and the sustainability of such partnerships in the community. ^ Conclusion: The success of an obesity program should focus on triggers that initiate behavioral change rather than physiological changes. The evaluation was guided by a community engagement approach, which illustrated the development of new partnerships and the strengthening of other collaborations. Ultimately, the engagement approach empowered the community to identify their own problems and build collaboration, rather than tackling obesity prevention alone. ^

AN EVALUATION OF THE CONSISTENCY OF IMRT PATIENT-SPECIFIC QA TECHNIQUES

To ensure the integrity of an intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment, each plan must be validated through a measurement-based quality assurance (QA) procedure, known as patient specific IMRT QA. Many methods of measurement and analysis have evolved for this QA. There is not a standard among clinical institutions, and many devices and action levels are used. Since the acceptance criteria determines if the dosimetric tools��� output passes the patient plan, it is important to see how these parameters influence the performance of the QA device. While analyzing the results of IMRT QA, it is important to understand the variability in the measurements. Due to the different form factors of the many QA methods, this reproducibility can be device dependent. These questions of patient-specific IMRT QA reproducibility and performance were investigated across five dosimeter systems: a helical diode array, radiographic film, ion chamber, diode array (AP field-by-field, AP composite, and rotational composite), and an in-house designed multiple ion chamber phantom. The reproducibility was gauged for each device by comparing the coefficients of variation (CV) across six patient plans. The performance of each device was determined by comparing each one���s ability to accurately label a plan as acceptable or unacceptable compared to a gold standard. All methods demonstrated a CV of less than 4%. Film proved to have the highest variability in QA measurement, likely due to the high level of user involvement in the readout and analysis. This is further shown by how the setup contributed more variation than the readout and analysis for all of the methods, except film. When evaluated for ability to correctly label acceptable and unacceptable plans, two distinct performance groups emerged with the helical diode array, AP composite diode array, film, and ion chamber in the better group; and the rotational composite and AP field-by-field diode array in the poorer group. Additionally, optimal threshold cutoffs were determined for each of the dosimetry systems. These findings, combined with practical considerations for factors such as labor and cost, can aid a clinic in its choice of an effective and safe patient-specific IMRT QA implementation.

Evaluation of Non-Survey International IO Construction Methods with the Asian-Pacific Input-Output Table

This paper presents four non-survey methods to construct a full-information international input-output table from national IO tables and international import and export statistics, and this paper tests these four methods against the semi-survey international IO table for nine East-Asian countries and the USA, which is constructed by the Institute of Developing Economies in Japan. The tests show that the impact on the domestic flows of using self-sufficiency ratios is small, except for Singapore and Malaysia, two countries with large volumes of smuggling and transit trade. As regards the accuracy of the international flows, all methods show considerable errors, of 10%-40% for commodities and of 10%-70% for services. When more information is added, i.e. going from Method 1 to 4, the accuracy increases, except for Method 2 that generally produces larger errors than Method 1. In all, it seems doubtful whether replacing the semi-survey Asian-Pacific IO table with one of the four non-survey tables is justified, except when the semi-survey table itself is also considered to be just another estimate.

Adjustment methods of national input-output tables for harmonized and consistent multi-regional input-output databases

Despite the fact that input���output (IO) tables form a central part of the System of National Accounts, each individual country's national IO table exhibits more or less different features and characteristics, reflecting the country's socioeconomic idiosyncrasies. Consequently, the compilers of a multi-regional input���output table (MRIOT) are advised to thoroughly examine the conceptual as well as methodological differences among countries in the estimation of basic statistics for national IO tables and, if necessary, to carry out pre-adjustment of these tables into a common format prior to the MRIOT compilation. The objective of this study is to provide a practical guide for harmonizing national IO tables to construct a consistent MRIOT, referring to the adjustment practices used by the Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO (IDE-JETRO) in compiling the Asian International Input���Output Table.

Response threshold models, stochastic learning automata and ant colony optimization-based decentralized self-coordination algorithms for heterogeneous multi-tasks distribution in multi-robot systems

In recent decades, there has been an increasing interest in systems comprised of several autonomous mobile robots, and as a result, there has been a substantial amount of development in the eld of Articial Intelligence, especially in Robotics. There are several studies in the literature by some researchers from the scientic community that focus on the creation of intelligent machines and devices capable to imitate the functions and movements of living beings. Multi-Robot Systems (MRS) can often deal with tasks that are dicult, if not impossible, to be accomplished by a single robot. In the context of MRS, one of the main challenges is the need to control, coordinate and synchronize the operation of multiple robots to perform a specic task. This requires the development of new strategies and methods which allow us to obtain the desired system behavior in a formal and concise way. This PhD thesis aims to study the coordination of multi-robot systems, in particular, addresses the problem of the distribution of heterogeneous multi-tasks. The main interest in these systems is to understand how from simple rules inspired by the division of labor in social insects, a group of robots can perform tasks in an organized and coordinated way. We are mainly interested on truly distributed or decentralized solutions in which the robots themselves, autonomously and in an individual manner, select a particular task so that all tasks are optimally distributed. In general, to perform the multi-tasks distribution among a team of robots, they have to synchronize their actions and exchange information. Under this approach we can speak of multi-tasks selection instead of multi-tasks assignment, which means, that the agents or robots select the tasks instead of being assigned a task by a central controller. The key element in these algorithms is the estimation ix of the stimuli and the adaptive update of the thresholds. This means that each robot performs this estimate locally depending on the load or the number of pending tasks to be performed. In addition, it is very interesting the evaluation of the results in function in each approach, comparing the results obtained by the introducing noise in the number of pending loads, with the purpose of simulate the robot's error in estimating the real number of pending tasks. The main contribution of this thesis can be found in the approach based on self-organization and division of labor in social insects. An experimental scenario for the coordination problem among multiple robots, the robustness of the approaches and the generation of dynamic tasks have been presented and discussed. The particular issues studied are: Threshold models: It presents the experiments conducted to test the response threshold model with the objective to analyze the system performance index, for the problem of the distribution of heterogeneous multitasks in multi-robot systems; also has been introduced additive noise in the number of pending loads and has been generated dynamic tasks over time. Learning automata methods: It describes the experiments to test the learning automata-based probabilistic algorithms. The approach was tested to evaluate the system performance index with additive noise and with dynamic tasks generation for the same problem of the distribution of heterogeneous multi-tasks in multi-robot systems. Ant colony optimization: The goal of the experiments presented is to test the ant colony optimization-based deterministic algorithms, to achieve the distribution of heterogeneous multi-tasks in multi-robot systems. In the experiments performed, the system performance index is evaluated by introducing additive noise and dynamic tasks generation over time.

Integration of socioeconomic and genetic aspects involved in the conservation of animal genetic resources = Integraci��n de aspectos socioecon��micos y gen��ticos involucrados en la conservaci��n de recursos gen��ticos animales

El sector ganadero est�� siendo gradualmente dominado por sistemas intensivos y especializados en los que los factores de producci��n est��n controlados y en los que los caracteres productivos son los criterios principales para la selecci��n de especies y razas. Entretanto, muchos de los bienes y servicios que tradicionalmente suministraba el ganado, tales como los fertilizantes, la tracci��n animal o materias primas para la elaboraci��n vestimenta y calzado est��n siendo reemplazados por productos industriales. Como consecuencia de ambos cambios, las razas seleccionadas intensivamente, las cuales est��n estrechamente ligadas a sistemas agr��colas de alta producci��n y altos insumos, han desplazado a muchas razas aut��ctonas, en las que la selecci��n pr��cticamente ha cesado o es muy poco intensa. Actualmente existe una mayor conciencia social sobre la situaci��n de las razas aut��ctonas y muchas funciones del ganado que previamente hab��an sido ignoradas est��n siendo reconocidas. Desde hace algunas d��cadas, se ha aceptado internacionalmente que las razas de ganado cumplen funciones econ��micas, socio-culturales, medioambientales y de seguridad alimentaria. Por ello, diferentes organismos internacionales han reconocido que la disminuci��n de los recursos gen��ticos de animales dom��sticos (RGADs) es un problema grave y han recomendado su conservaci��n. Aun as��, la conservaci��n de RGADs es un tema controvertido por la dificultad de valorar las funciones del ganado. Esta valoraci��n es compleja debido que los RGADs tiene una doble naturaleza privada - p��blica. Como algunos economistas han subrayado, el ganado es un bien privado, sin embargo debido a algunas de sus funciones, tambi��n es un bien p��blico. De esta forma, el aumento del conocimiento sobre valor de cada una de sus funciones facilitar��a la toma de decisiones en relaci��n a su conservaci��n y desarrollo. Sin embargo, esta valoraci��n es controvertida puesto que la importancia relativa de las funciones del ganado var��a en funci��n del momento, del lugar, de las especies y de las razas. El sector ganadero, debido a sus m��ltiples funciones, est�� influenciado por factores t��cnicos, medioambientales, sociales, culturales y pol��ticos que est��n interrelacionados y que engloban a una enorme variedad de actores y procesos. Al igual que las funciones del ganado, los factores que afectan a su conservaci��n y desarrollo est��n fuertemente condicionados por localizaci��n geogr��fica. Asimismo, estos factores pueden ser muy heterog��neos incluso dentro de una misma raza. Por otro lado, es razonable pensar que el ganadero es el actor principal de la conservaci��n de razas locales. Actualmente, las razas locales est��n siendo Integration of socioeconomic and genetic aspects involved in the conservation of animal genetic resources 5 explotadas por ganaderos muy diversos bajo sistemas de producci��n tambi��n muy diferentes. Por todo ello, es de vital importancia comprender y evaluar el impacto que tienen las motivaciones, y el proceso de toma de decisiones de los ganaderos en la estructura gen��tica de las razas. En esta tesis doctoral exploramos diferentes aspectos sociales, econ��micos y gen��ticos involucrados en la conservaci��n de razas locales de ganado vacuno en Europa, como ejemplo de RGADs, esperando contribuir al entendimiento cient��fico de este complejo tema. Nuestro objetivo es conseguir una visi��n global de los procesos subyacentes en la conservaci��n y desarrollo de estas razas. Pretendemos ilustrar como se pueden utilizar m��todos cuantitativos en el dise��o y establecimiento de estrategias de conservaci��n y desarrollo de RGADs objetivas y adecuadas. En primer lugar, exploramos el valor econ��mico total (VET) del ganado analizando sus componentes p��blicos fuera de mercado usando como caso de estudio la raza vacuna Alistana-Sanabresa (AS). El VET de cualquier bien est�� formado por componentes de uso y de no-uso. Estos ��ltimos incluyen el valor de opci��n, el valor de herencia y el valor de existencia. En el caso del ganado local, el valor de uso directo proviene de sus productos. Los valores de uso indirecto est��n relacionados con el papel que cumple las razas en el mantenimiento de los paisajes y cultura rural. El valor de opci��n se refiere a su futuro uso potencial y el valor de herencia al uso potencial de las generaciones venideras. Finalmente, el valor de existencia est�� relacionado con el bienestar que produce a la gente saber que existe un recurso espec��fico. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la importancia relativa que tienen los componentes fuera de mercado sobre el VET de la raza AS. Para ello evaluamos la voluntad de la gente a pagar por la conservaci��n de la AS mediante experimentos de elecci��n (EEs) a trav��s de encuestas. Estos experimentos permiten valorar individualmente los distintos componentes del VET de cualquier bien. Los resultados los analizamos mediante de uso de modelos aleatorios logit. Encontramos que las funciones p��blicas de la raza AS tienen un valor significativo. Sus valores m��s importantes son el valor de uso indirecto como elemento cultural Zamorano y el valor de existencia (ambos representaron el 80% de VET). Adem��s observamos que el valor que gente da a las funciones p��blicas de la razas de ganado dependen de sus caracter��sticas socioecon��micas. Los factores que condicionaron la voluntad a pagar para la conservaci��n de la raza AS fueron el lugar de residencia (ciudad o pueblo), el haber visto animales de la raza o haber consumido sus productos y la actitud de los encuestados ante los conflictos entre el desarrollo econ��mico y el medioambiente. Por otro lado, encontramos que no todo el mundo tiene una visi��n completa e integrada de todas las funciones p��blicas de la raza AS. Por este motivo, los programas o actividades de concienciaci��n sobre su estado deber��an hacer hincapi�� en este aspecto. La existencia de valores p��blicos de la raza AS implica que los ganaderos deber��an recibir compensaciones econ��micas como pago por las funciones p��blicas que cumple su raza local. Las compensaciones asegurar��an un tama��o de poblaci��n que permitir��a que la raza AS siga realizando estas funciones. Un mecanismo para ello podr��a ser el desarrollo del turismo rural relacionado con la raza. Esto aumentar��a el valor de uso privado mientras que supondr��a un elemento a��adido a las estrategias de conservaci��n y desarrollo. No obstante, los ganaderos deben analizar c��mo aprovechar los nichos de mercado existentes, as�� como mejorar la calidad de los productos de la raza prestando especial atenci��n al etiquetado de los mismos. Una vez evaluada la importancia de las funciones p��blicas de las razas locales de ganado, analizamos la diversidad de factores t��cnicos, econ��micos y sociales de la producci��n de razas locales de ganado vacuno existente en Europa. Con este fin analizamos el caso de quince razas locales de ocho pa��ses en el contexto de un proyecto de colaboraci��n internacional. Investigamos las diferencias entre los pa��ses para determinar los factores comunes clave que afectan a la viabilidad de las razas locales. Para ello entrevistamos mediante cuestionarios a un total de 355 ganaderos en las quince razas. Como indicador de viabilidad usamos los planes de los ganaderos de variaci��n del tama��o de las ganader��as. Los cuestionarios inclu��an diferentes aspectos econ��micos, t��cnicos y sociales con potencial influencia en las din��micas demogr��ficas de las razas locales. Los datos recogidos los analizamos mediante distintas t��cnicas estad��sticas multivariantes como el an��lisis discriminante y la regresi��n log��stica. Encontramos que los factores que afectan a la viabilidad de las razas locales en Europa son muy heterog��neos. Un resultado rese��able fue que los ganaderos de algunos pa��ses no consideran que la explotaci��n de su raza tenga un alto valor social. Este hecho vuelve a poner de manifiesto la importancia de desarrollar programas Europeos de concienciaci��n sobre la importancia de las funciones que cumplen las razas locales. Adem��s los pa��ses analizados presentaron una alta variabilidad en cuanto a la importancia de los mercados locales en la distribuci��n de los productos y en cuanto al porcentaje en propiedad del total de los pastos usados en las explotaciones. Este estudio reflej�� la variabilidad de los sistemas y medios de producci��n (en el sentido socioecon��mico, t��cnico y ecol��gico) que existe en Europa. Por ello hay que ser cautos en la implementaci��n de las pol��ticas comunes en los diferentes pa��ses. Tambi��n encontramos que la variabilidad dentro de los pa��ses puede ser elevada debido a las diferencias entre razas, lo que implica que las pol��ticas nacionales deber ser suficientemente flexibles para adaptarse a las peculiaridades de cada una de las razas. Por otro lado, encontramos una serie de factores comunes a la viabilidad de las razas en los distintos pa��ses; la edad de los ganaderos, la colaboraci��n entre ellos y la apreciaci��n social de las funciones culturales, medioambientales y sociales del ganado local. El envejecimiento de los ganaderos de razas locales no es solo un problema de falta de transferencia generacional, sino que tambi��n puede suponer una actitud m��s negativa hacia la inversi��n en las actividades ganaderas y en una menor capacidad de adaptaci��n a los cambios del sector. La capacidad de adaptaci��n de los ganaderos es un factor crucial en la viabilidad de las razas locales. Las estrategias y pol��ticas de conservaci��n comunes deben incluir las variables comunes a la viabilidad de las razas manteniendo flexibilidad suficiente para adaptarse a las especificidades nacionales. Estas estrategias y pol��ticas deber��an ir m��s all�� de compensaci��n econ��mica a los ganaderos de razas locales por la menor productividad de sus razas. Las herramientas para la toma de decisiones ayudan a generar una visi��n amplia de la conservaci��n y desarrollo de las razas locales. Estas herramientas abordan el dise��o de estrategias de conservaci��n y desarrollo de forma sistem��tica y estructurada. En la tercera parte de la tesis usamos una de estas herramientas, el an��lisis DAFO (Debilidades, Amenazas, Fortalezas y Oportunidades), con este prop��sito, reconociendo que la conservaci��n de RGADs depende de los ganaderos. Desarrollamos un an��lisis DAFO cuantitativo y lo aplicamos a trece razas locales de ganado vacuno de seis pa��ses europeos en el contexto del proyecto de colaboraci��n mencionado anteriormente. El m��todo tiene cuatro pasos: 1) la definici��n del sistema; 2) la identificaci��n y agrupaci��n de los factores influyentes; 3) la cuantificaci��n de la importancia de dichos factores y 4) la identificaci��n y priorizaci��n de estrategias. Identificamos los factores utilizando multitud de agentes (multi-stakeholder appproach). Una vez determinados los factores se agruparon en una estructura de tres niveles. La importancia relativa de los cada uno de los factores para cada raza fue determinada por grupos de expertos en RGADs de los pa��ses integrados en el citado proyecto. Finalmente, desarrollamos un proceso de cuantificaci��n para identificar y priorizar estrategias. La estructura de agrupaci��n de factores permiti�� analizar el problema de la conservaci��n desde el nivel general hasta el concreto. La uni��n de an��lisis espec��ficos de cada una de las razas en un an��lisis DAFO com��n permiti�� evaluar la adecuaci��n de las estrategias a cada caso concreto. Identificamos un total de 99 factores. El an��lisis revel�� que mientras los factores menos importantes son muy consistentes entre razas, los factores y estrategias m��s relevantes son muy heterog��neos. La idoneidad de las estrategias fue mayor a medida que estas se hac��an m��s generales. A pesar de dicha heterogeneidad, los factores influyentes y estrategias m��s importantes estaban ligados a aspectos positivos (fortalezas y oportunidades) lo que implica que el futuro de estas razas es prometedor. Los resultados de nuestro an��lisis tambi��n confirmaron la gran relevancia del valor cultural de estas razas. Las factores internos (fortalezas y debilidades) m��s importantes estaban relacionadas con los sistemas de producci��n y los ganaderos. Las oportunidades m��s relevantes estaban relacionadas con el desarrollo y marketing de nuevos productos mientras que las amenazas m��s importantes se encontraron a la hora de vender los productos actuales. Este resultado implica que ser��a fruct��fero trabajar en la motivaci��n y colaboraci��n entre ganaderos as�� como, en la mejora de sus capacidades. Concluimos que las pol��ticas comunes europeas deber��an centrarse en aspectos generales y ser los suficientemente flexibles para adaptarse a las singularidades de los pa��ses y las razas. Como ya se ha mencionado, los ganaderos juegan un papel esencial en la conservaci��n y desarrollo de las razas aut��ctonas. Por ello es relevante entender que implicaci��n puede tener la heterogeneidad de los mismos en la viabilidad de una raza. En la cuarta parte de la tesis hemos identificado tipos de ganaderos con el fin de entender c��mo la relaci��n entre la variabilidad de sus caracter��sticas socioecon��micas, los perfiles de las ganader��as y las din��micas de las mismas. El an��lisis se ha realizado en un contexto sociol��gico, aplicando los conceptos de capital cultural y econ��mico. Las tipolog��as se han determinado en funci��n de factores socioecon��micos y culturales indicadores del capital cultural y capital econ��mico de un individuo. Nuestro objetivo era estudiar si la tipolog��a socioecon��mica de los ganaderos afecta al perfil de su ganader��a y a las decisiones que toman. Entrevistamos a 85 ganaderos de la raza Avile��a-Negra Ib��rica (ANI) y utilizamos los resultados de dichas entrevistas para ilustrar y testar el proceso. Definimos los tipos de ganaderos utilizando un an��lisis de cl��ster jerarquizado con un grupo de variables can��nicas que se obtuvieron en funci��n de cinco factores socioecon��micos: el nivel de educaci��n del ganadero, el a��o en que empez�� a ser ganadero de ANI, el porcentaje de los ingresos familiares que aporta la ganader��a, el porcentaje de propiedad de la tierra de la explotaci��n y la edad del ganadero. La tipolog��a de los ganaderos de ANI result�� ser m��s compleja que en el pasado. Los resultados indicaron que los tipos de ganaderos variaban en muchos aspectos socioecon��micos y en los perfiles de sus Integration of socioeconomic and genetic aspects involved in the conservation of animal genetic resources 9 ganader��as. Los tipos de ganaderos determinados toman diferentes decisiones en relaci��n a la modificaci��n del tama��o de su ganader��a y a sus objetivos de selecci��n. Por otro lado, reaccionaron de forma diferente ante un hipot��tico escenario de reducci��n de las compensaciones econ��micas que les planteamos. En este estudio hemos visto que el capital cultural y el econ��mico interact��an y hemos explicado como lo hacen en los distintos tipos de ganaderos. Por ejemplo, los ganaderos que pose��an un mayor capital econ��mico, capital cultural formal y capital cultural adquirido sobre la raza, eran los ganaderos cuyos animales ten��an una mayor demanda por parte de otros ganaderos, lo cual podr��a responder a su mayor prestigio social dentro de la raza. Uno de los elementos claves para el futuro de la raza es si este prestigio responde a una superioridad gen��tica de las animales. Esto ocurrir��a si los ganaderos utilizaran las herramientas que tienen a su disposici��n a la hora de seleccionar animales. Los tipos de ganaderos identificados mostraron tambi��n claras diferencias en sus formas de colaboraci��n y en su reacci��n a una hipot��tica variaci��n de las compensaciones econ��micas. Aunque algunos tipos de ganaderos mostraron un bajo nivel de dependencia a estas compensaciones, la mayor��a se manifestaron altamente dependientes. Por ello cualquier cambio dr��stico en la pol��tica de ayudas puede comprometer el desarrollo de las razas aut��ctonas. La adaptaci��n las pol��ticas de compensaciones econ��micas a la heterogeneidad de los ganaderos podr��a aumentar la eficacia de las mismas por lo que ser��a interesante explorar posibilidades a este respecto. Concluimos destacando la necesidad de desarrollar pol��ticas que tengan en cuenta la heterogeneidad de los ganaderos. Finalmente abordamos el estudio de la estructura gen��tica de poblaciones ganaderas. Las decisiones de los ganaderos en relaci��n a la selecci��n de sementales y su n��mero de descendientes configuran la estructura demogr��fica y gen��tica de las razas. En la actualidad existe un inter��s renovado por estudiar las estructuras poblacionales debido a la influencia potencial de su estratificaci��n sobre la predicci��n de valores gen��micos y/o los an��lisis de asociaci��n a genoma completo. Utilizamos dos m��todos distintos, un algoritmo de cl��steres basados en teor��a de grafos (GCA) y un algoritmo de clustering bayesiano (STRUCTURE) para estudiar la estructura gen��tica de la raza ANI. Prestamos especial atenci��n al efecto de la presencia de parientes cercanos en la poblaci��n y de la diferenciaci��n gen��tica entre subpoblaciones sobre el an��lisis de la estructura de la poblaci��n. En primer lugar evaluamos el comportamiento de los dos algoritmos en poblaciones simuladas para posteriormente analizar los genotipos para 17 microsat��lites de 13343 animales de 57 ganader��as distintas de raza ANI. La ANI es un ejemplo de raza con relaciones complejas. Por otro lado, utilizamos el archivo de pedigr�� de la raza para estudiar el flujo de genes, calculando, entre otras cosas, la contribuci��n de cada ganader��a a la constituci��n gen��tica de la raza. En el caso de las poblaciones simuladas, cuando el FST entre subpoblaciones fue suficientemente alto, ambos algoritmos, GCA y STRUCTURE, identificaron la misma estructura gen��tica independientemente de que existieran o no relaciones familiares. Por el contrario, cuando el grado de diferenciaci��n entre poblaciones fue bajo, el STRUCTURE identific�� la estructura familiar mientras que GCA no permiti�� obtener ning��n resultado concluyente. El GCA result�� ser un algoritmo m��s r��pido y eficiente para de inferir la estructura gen��tica en poblaciones con relaciones complejas. Este algoritmo tambi��n puede ser usado para reducir el n��mero de cl��steres a testar con el STRUTURE. En cuanto al an��lisis de la poblaci��n de ANI, ambos algoritmos describieron la misma estructura, lo cual sugiere que los resultados son robustos. Se identificaron tres subpoblaciones diferenciadas que pudieran corresponderse con tres linajes distintos. Estos linajes estar��an directamente relacionados con las ganader��as que han tenido una mayor contribuci��n a la constituci��n gen��tica de la raza. Por otro lado, hay un conjunto muy numeroso de individuos con una mezcla de or��genes. La informaci��n molecular describe una estructura estratificada de la poblaci��n que se corresponde con la evoluci��n demogr��fica de la raza. Es esencial analizar en mayor profundidad la composici��n de este ��ltimo grupo de animales para determinar c��mo afecta a la variabilidad gen��tica de la poblaci��n de ANI. SUMMARY Summary Livestock sector is gradually dominated by intensive and specialized systems where the production environment is controlled and the production traits are the main criteria for the selection of species and breeds. In the meantime, the traditional use of domestic animals for draught work, clothes and manure has been replaced by industrial products. As a consequence of both these changes, the intensively selected breeds closely linked with high-input highoutput production systems have displaced many native breeds where the selection has practically ceased or been very mild. People are now more aware of the state of endangerment among the native breeds and the previously ignored values of livestock are gaining recognition. For some decades now, the economic, socio-cultural, environmental and food security function of livestock breeds have been accepted worldwide and their loss has been recognized as a major problem. Therefore, the conservation of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) has been recommended. The conservation of FAnGR is controversial due to the complexity of the evaluation of its functions. This evaluation is difficult due to the nature of FAnGR both as private and public good. As some economists have highlighted, livestock animals are private goods, however, they are also public goods by their functions. Therefore, there is a need to increase the knowledge about the value of all livestock functions since to support the decision-making for the sustainable conservation and breeding of livestock. This is not straightforward since the relative importance of livestock functions depends on time, place, species and breed. Since livestock play a variety of roles, their production is driven by interrelated and everchanging economic, technical, environmental, social, cultural and political elements involving an enormous range of stakeholders. Not only FAnGR functions but also the importance of factors affecting the development and conservation of FAnGR can be very different across geographical areas. Furthermore, heterogeneity can be found even within breeds. Local breeds are nowadays raised by highly diverse farmers in equally diverse farms. It is quite reasonable to think that farmer is the major actor in the in situ conservation of livestock breeds. Thus, there is a need to understand the farmers��� motivations, decision making processes and the impact of their decisions on the genetic structure of breeds. In this PhD thesis we explore different social, economic and genetic aspects involved in the conservation of local cattle breeds, i.e. FAnGR, in Europe seeking to contribute to the scientific understanding of this complex issue. We aim to achieve a comprehensive view of the processes involved in the conservation and development of local cattle breeds and have made special efforts in discussing the implications of the research results in this respect. The final outcome of the thesis is to illustrate how quantitative methods can be exploited in designing and establishing sound strategies and programmes for the conservation and development of local livestock breeds. Firstly we explored the public non-market attributes of the total economic value (TEV) of livestock, using the Spanish Alistana-Sanabresa (AS) cattle breed as a case study. Total economic value of any good comprises both use and non-use components, where the latter include option, bequest and existence values. For livestock, the direct use values are mainly stemming from production outputs. Indirect use values relate to the role of livestock as a maintainer of rural culture and landscape. The option value is related to the potential use of livestock, the bequest values relate to the value associated with the inheritance of the resources to future generation and the existence values relate to the utility perceived by people from knowing that specific resources exist. We aimed to determine the relative importance of the non-market components of the TEV of the AS breed, the socio-economic variables that influence how people value the different components of TEV and to assess the implications of the Spanish national conservation strategy for the AS breed. To do so, we used a choice experiment (CE) approach and applied the technique to assess people���s willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of AS breed. The use of CE allows the valuation of the individual components of TEV for a given good. We analysed the choice data using a random parameter logit (RPL) model. AS breed was found to have a significant public good value. Its most important values were related to the indirect use value due to the maintenance of Zamorian culture and the existence value (both represent over 80% of its TEV). There were several socioeconomic variables influencing people���s valuation of the public service of the breed. In the case of AS breed, the place of living (city or rural area), having seen animals of the breed, having eaten breed products and the respondents��� attitude towards economic development ��� environment conflicts do influence people���s WTP for AS conservation. We also found that people do not have a complete picture of all the functions and roles that AS breed as AnGR. Therefore, the actions for increasing awareness of AS should go to that direction. The farmers will need incentives to exploit some of the public goods values and maintain the breed population size at socially desirable levels. One such mechanism could be related to the development of agritourism, which would enhance the private good value and provide an important addition to the conservation and utilisation strategy. However, the farmers need a serious evaluation on how to invest in niche product development or how to improve product quality and brand recognition. Using the understanding on the importance of the public function of local cattle we tried to depict the current diversity regarding technical, economic and social factors found in local cattle farming across Europe. To do so we focused in an international collaborative project on the case of fifteen local cattle breeds in eight European countries. We investigated the variation among the countries to detect the common key elements, which affect the viability of local breeds. We surveyed with interviews a total of 355 farms across the fifteen breeds. We used the planned herd size changes by the farmer as an indicator of breed viability. The questionnaire included several economic, technical and social aspects with potential influence on breeds��� demographic trends. We analysed the data using multivariate statistical techniques, such as discriminat analysis and logistic regression. The factors affecting a local breed���s viability were highly heterogeneous across Europe. In some countries, farmers did not recognise any high social value attached to keeping a local cattle breed. Hence there is a need to develop communication programmes across EU countries making people aware about the diversity and importance of values associated to raising local breeds. The countries were also very variable regarding the importance of local markets and the percentage of farm land owned by the farmers. Despite the country specificities, there were also common factors affecting the breed viability across Europe. The factors were from different grounds, from social, such as the age of the farmer and the social appreciation of their work, to technicalorganizational, such as the farmers��� attitude to collaborating with each other. The heterogeneity found reflects the variation in breeding systems and production environment (in the socioeconomic, technical and ecological sense) present in Europe. Therefore, caution should be taken in implementing common policies at the country level. Variability could also be rather high within countries due to breed specificities. Therefore, the national policies should be flexible to adapt to the specificities. The variables significantly associated with breed viability should be positively incorporated in the conservation strategies, and considered in developing common and/or national policies. The strategy preparation and policy planning should go beyond the provision of a general economic support to compensate farmers for the lower profitability of local breeds. Of particular interest is the observation that the opportunity for farmer collaboration and the appreciation by the society of the cultural, environmental and social role of local cattle farming were positively associated with the breed survival. In addition, farmer's high age is not only a problem of poor generation transfer but it is also a problem because it might lead to a lower attitude to investing in farming activities and to a lower ability to adapt to environment changes. The farmers��� adaptation capability may be a key point for the viability of local breeds. Decision making tools can help to get a comprehensive view on the conservation and development of local breeds. It allows us to use a systematic and structured approach for identifying and prioritizing conservation and development strategies. We used SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats) analysis for this purpose and recognized that many conservation and development projects rely on farmers. We developed a quantified SWOT method and applied it in the aforementioned collaborative research to a set of thirteen cattle breeds in six European countries. The method has four steps: definition of the system, identification and grouping of the driving factors, quantification of the importance of driving factors and identification and prioritization of the strategies. The factors were determined following a multi-stakeholder approach and grouped with a three level structure. FAnGR expert groups ranked the factors and a quantification process was implemented to identify and prioritize strategies. The structure of the SWOT analysis allowed analyzing the conservation problem from general down to specific perspectives. Joining breed specific analyses into a common SWOT analysis permitted comparison of breed cases across countries. We identified 99 driving factors across breeds. The across breed analysis revealed that irrelevant factors were consistent. There was high heterogeneity among the most relevant factors and strategies. The strategies increased eligibility as they lost specificity. Although the situation was very heterogeneous, the most promising factors and strategies were linked to the positive aspects (Strengths and Opportunities). Therefore, the future of the studied local breed is promising. The results of our analysis also confirmed the high relevance of the cultural value of the breeds. The most important internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) were related farmers and production systems. The most important opportunities were found in developing and marketing new products, while the most relevant threats were found in selling the current conventional products. In this regard, it should be fruitful to work on farmers��� motivation, collaboration, and capacity building. We conclude that European policies should focus on general aspects and be flexible enough to be adapted to the country and breed specificities. As mentioned, farmers have a key role in the conservation and development of a local cattle breed. Therefore, it is very relevant to understand the implications of farmer heterogeneity within a breed for its viability. In the fourth part of the thesis, we developed a general farmer typology to help analyzing the relations between farmer features and farm profiles, herd dynamics and farmers��� decision making. In the analysis we applied and used the sociological framework of economic and cultural capital and studied how the determined farmer types were linked to farm profiles and breeding decisions, among others. The typology was based on measurable socioeconomic factors indicating the economic and cultural capital of farmers. A group of 85 farmers raising the Spanish Avile��a-Negra Ib��rica (ANI) local cattle breed was used to illustrate and test the procedure. The farmer types were defined by a hierarchical cluster analysis with a set of canonical variables derived from the following five the socioeconomic factors: the formal educational level of the farmer, the year the farmer started keeping the ANI breed, the percentage of the total family income covered by the farm, the percentage of the total farm land owned by the farmer and the farmer���s age. The present ANI farmer types were much more complex than what they were in the past. We found that the farmer types differed in many socioeconomic aspects and in the farms profile. Furthermore, the types also differentiate farmers with respect to decisions about changing the farm size, breeding aims and stated reactions towards hypothetical subsidy variation. We have verified that economic and cultural capitals are not independent and further showed how they are interacting in the different farmer types. The farmers related to the types with high economic, institutionalized and embodied cultural capitals had a higher demand of breeding animals from others farmers of the breed, which may be related to the higher social prestige within the breed. One of the key implications of this finding for the future of the breed is whether or not the prestige of farmers is related to genetic superiority of their animals, what is to say, that it is related with a sound use of tools that farmers have available to make selection decisions. The farmer types differed in the form of collaboration and in the reactions to the hypothetical variation in subsidies. There were farmers with low dependency on subsidies, while most of them are highly dependent on subsidies. Therefore, any drastic change in the subsidy programme might have influence on the development of local breeds. The adaptation of these programme to the farmers��� heterogeneity might increase its efficacy, thus it would be interesting to explore ways of doing it. We conclude highlighting the need to have a variety of policies, which take into account the heterogeneity among the farmers. To finish we dealt with the genetic structure of livestock populations. Farmers��� decisions on the breeding animals and their progeny numbers shape the demographic and genetic structure of the breeds. Nowadays there is a renovated interest in studying the population structure since it can bias the prediction of genomic breeding values and genome wide association studies. We determined the genetic structure of ANI breed using two different methods, a graphical clustering algorithm (GCA) and a Bayesian clustering algorithm (STRUCTURE) were used. We paid particular attention to the influence that the presence of closely related individuals and the genetic differentiation of subpopulations may have on the inferences about the population structure. We first evaluated the performance of the algorithms in simulated populations. Then we inferred the genetic structure of the Spanish cattle breed ANI analysing a data set of 13343 animals (genotyped for 17 microsatellites) from 57 herds. ANI breed is an example of a population with complex relationships. We used the herdbook to study the gene flow, estimation among other things, the contribution of different herds to the genetic composition of the ANI breed. For the simulated scenarios, when FST among subpopulations was sufficiently high, both algorithms consistently inferred the correct structure regardless of the presence of related individuals. However, when the genetic differentiation among subpopulations was low, STRUCTURE identified the family based structure while GCA did not provide any consistent picture. The GCA was a fast and efficient method to infer genetic structure to determine the hidden core structure of a population with complex history and relationships. GCA could also be used to narrow down the number of clusters to be tested by STRUCTURE. Both, STRUCTURE and GCA describe a similar structure for the ANI breed suggesting that the results are robust. ANI population was found to have three genetically differentiated clusters that could correspond to three genetic lineages. These are directly related to the herds with a major contribution to the breed. In addition, ANI breed has also a large pool made of individuals with an admixture of origins. The genetic structure of ANI, assessed by molecular information, shows a stratification that corresponds to the demographic evolution of the breed. It will be of great importance to learn more about the composition of the pool and study how it is related to the existing genetic variability of the breed.

Applications of image-based, multi-view stereo reconstruction methods = (Aplicaciones de los m��todos de reconstrucci��n est��reo multivista)

These slides present several 3-D reconstruction methods to obtain the geometric structure of a scene that is viewed by multiple cameras. We focus on the combination of the geometric modeling in the image formation process with the use of standard optimization tools to estimate the characteristic parameters that describe the geometry of the 3-D scene. In particular, linear, non-linear and robust methods to estimate the monocular and epipolar geometry are introduced as cornerstones to generate 3-D reconstructions with multiple cameras. Some examples of systems that use this constructive strategy are Bundler, PhotoSynth, VideoSurfing, etc., which are able to obtain 3-D reconstructions with several hundreds or thousands of cameras. En esta presentaci��n se tratan varios m��todos de reconstrucci��n 3-D para la obtenci��n de la estructura geom��trica de una escena que es visualizada por varias c��maras. Se enfatiza la combinaci��n de modelado geom��trico del proceso de formaci��n de la imagen con el uso de herramientas est��ndar de optimizaci��n para estimar los par��metros caracter��sticos que describen la geometr��a de la escena 3-D. En concreto, se presentan m��todos de estimaci��n lineales, no lineales y robustos de las geometr��as monocular y epipolar como punto de partida para generar reconstrucciones con tres o m��s c��maras. Algunos ejemplos de sistemas que utilizan este enfoque constructivo son Bundler, PhotoSynth, VideoSurfing, etc., los cuales, en la pr��ctica pueden llegar a reconstruir una escena con varios cientos o miles de c��maras.