Evaluating genetic algorithms with different population structures on a lot sizing and scheduling problem

This paper studies the use of different population structures in a Genetic Algorithm (GA) applied to lot sizing and scheduling problems. The population approaches are divided into two types: single-population and multi-population. The first type has a non-structured single population. The multi-population type presents non-structured and structured populations organized in binary and ternary trees. Each population approach is tested on lot sizing and scheduling problems found in soft drink companies. These problems have two interdependent levels with decisions concerning raw material storage and soft drink bottling. The challenge is to simultaneously determine the lot sizing and scheduling of raw materials in tanks and products in lines. Computational results are reported allowing determining the better population structure for the set of problem instances evaluated. Copyright 2008 ACM.

Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2011-2012: Continuing crisis in the centre and new opportunities for developing economies

Includes bibliography

Para além do Rio Grande: Os impactos da economia paulista sobre O Triângulo Mineiro

In this work our intention was to investigate the impact of Sao Paulo's coffee economy on the Minas Gerais Triangle Region, during its penetration into the area because of the extension of the Mogiana Railroad Company in 1889. We attempt to understand the impact caused along this coffee railroad in a region where this product almost did not exist, and the changes that occurred to the economic panorama of the region. Furthermore we have taken as an example, the city of Uberaba, the most important, in this region at that time.

Utilização do alcohol use disorders identification test (Audit) para identificação do consumo de álcool entre estudantes do ensino médio

Alcohol is one of the drugs most widely used among teenagers. Just recently, studies have been developed regarding the screening of use of alcohol by this population. This work aimed to investigate the use of AUDIT as a method for screening and evaluation of alcohol consumption among High School students. The sample was composed by 1227 students from two public schools, who answered to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and informed their socioeconomic level, religion, and occurrence of relationship problems caused by drunkenness of family members. Using an 8 cut-off point, AUDIT has identified 17.8% of students with risk drinking. These results have revealed that AUDIT is easy to be applied and well accepted by the students. It was also evident the importance of this instrument in the follow-up programs of prevention and intervention of alcoholic beverages use.

Effect of the density and of the distance of Brachiaria decumbens staff on the initial growth of Coffea arabica L. Seedligns

The aim of this work was to evaluate the interference of three densities (4, 8 and 16 plants/m 2) of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf distributed at three different distances (0, 10 and 20 cm from coffee plants) on the initial growth of Coffea arabica L. seedlings. Dark red Latosoil was used as substrate to fill up 70 liters cement boxes. Coffee seedlings at 15 cm height and 8 leaves stage were planted in each box. B. decumbens seedlings were transplanted when they reached two to four leaves stage. The experimental design was a randomized blocks with ten treatments and three replications. At the end of the experiment were measured, height, leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll content and dry weight of coffee plants. Dry weight of B. decumbens leaves was also evaluated. The leaf area and leaf dry weight was shown to be more sensitive parameters to the interference of Brachiaria plants. Dry weight of coffee plants were reduced from 60% to 88% when the B. decumbens were transplanted 0 cm from the coffee plant. With distance of 10 cm the reduction of dry weight increased with the increase of the density of the B. decumbens. In the coexistence of the coffee plants with 16 plants/m 2 of B. decumbens, there was a reduction in the dry weight of about 80% at the distances of 0 and 20 cm. Regarding leaf area, the reduction was 47% on the average in the density of 4 plants/m 2 of B. decumbens The reduction in leaf area at other densities was higher at the distance of 0 and 20 cm, and 55% reduction was obtained at the distance of 10 cm.

Relação entre a adubação nitrogenada e as condições hídricas do solo para um cafezal de Piracicaba, SP

Although the management of the coffee crop is well established in Brazil, there is still room for its improvement in relation natural resources available in each region, aiming the increase in productivity. Here are presented results regarding the fate of the fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to a coffee plantation related to the prevailing soil water conditions. Soil water balances are discussed, which allowed evaluation of the root distribution, determinations of the crop coefficient and of the soil water conditions during the development of the crop. Approximately, 60% of the root system was distributed in the 0-0.3 m soil layer and the average crop coefficient was 1.1 for 3 to 5 year old plants. Using an N label, the 15N, it was possible to study the distribution of N in the plant and in the soil and establishes general N balances, which also include losses like leaching and volatilization. After two years of ammonium sulfate application, at rates of 280 (1st year) and 350 (2nd year) kg.ha-1 of N, in four equal application performed during the period of positive growth rate, the recuperation of fertilizer N were 19.1% by the aerial plant part and 9.4% by the roots, 12.6% remained in the soil and 11.2% in the litter; 0.9% was lost by volatilization and 2.3% by leaching; 26.3% was exported through harvesting and 18.2% remained in non evaluated compartments. From the applied 630 kg.ha -1 of N during the two years, 180 kg.ha -1 of N were found in the plant (shoot and root), which corresponds to 28.6%; 150 kg.ha -1 of N remained available for the next years(soil and litter), and only 20 kg.ha -1 of N were effectively lost (volatilization and leaching).

Características reológicas e sensoriais de bebidas lácteas funcionais

This research studied the effects of the independent variables whey protein concentrate - WPC (3.0; 3.5; 4.0%), skimmed milk powder - SMP (4.0; 5.0; 6.0%), and isolated soy protein - IPS (1.5; 2.0; 2.5%) on the rheological and sensorial characteristics of functional dairy beverages. In all tests 7% of sucrose was added to the ingredients. The rheological parameters were obtained in duplicate at the temperature of 10° C using a cone and plate rheometer, and fitted to the Power law model. The samples revealed a non-Newtonian fluid behavior both in the upward and downward curves, typical of a tixotropic fluid. The dairy beverages were submitted to a sensory analysis by a group of fifty untrained tasters who used a hedonic scale of nine points, the extremes being 1 - disliked extremely and 9 - liked extremely, in order to evaluate the following parameters: general acceptability; appearance and color; consistency; taste and aroma. The dairy beverage produced with 3% WPC, 6% SMP and 1.5% IPS, (treatment 3), was the one that obtained the best average score for those attributes and was preferred by the tasters. The variables SMP and IPS and the interaction between WPC and SMP presented a positive effect on the sensory consistency attributes: the higher amount of those ingredients in the formula the more the tasters liked the consistency.

Drosofilídeos e seus himenópteros parasitoides em coffea arabica L

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Drosophilidae and their parasitoids in coffee fruits in Cravinhos, SP, Brazil. The fruits were collected directly from the tree, and a portion was exposed under the canopy. Fifty-nine drosophilid pupae were collected in all, of which 31 adults (including two Ganaspis exemplars) emerged. The survival rate of all pupae was 49.2%. Thirty-five drosopholid pupae were obtained from the fruit trees, 24 of which later emerged, three different species: Zaprionus indianus Gupta, Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant and D. simulans Sturtevant. From the fruits under the canopy of plants were obtained 24 pupae of four different species: Z. indianus, D. cardini Sturtevant, D. immigrans Sturtevant and D. willistoni Sturtevant. The emergence of two Ganaspis sp. (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) examples, with a parasitism rate of 8.3%, was also observed. Half of the drosophilids collected are introduced species and represented 79% of the adults emerged. Associations between Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans, D. nebulosa, D. simulans and D. willistoni and the coffee crop are reported herein.

Análise geoambiental da região de marília, SP: Suscetibilidade a processos erosivos frente ao histórico de ocupação da área

The study area comprises the western portion of the Marília Plateau, State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The geological substrate encompasses Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of the Bauru Group and local Neocenozoic units like colluvium aprons, fluvial terrace deposits, in situ regoliths, and modern alluvial deposits. In a geomorphologic sense, the study area might be characterized as showing two main pediplanes, viz. P1 Surface (upper) and P2 Surface (lower), both surfaces are presently under dissecation processes. After the 1920's the expansion of the railroad system fostered the removal of the natural vegetation, which in turn was followed by the introduction of coffee, peanut, corn and cotton crops. This intense exploitation was conducted without respect to the soil carrying capacity and its natural susceptibility to erosional processes, including an aggressive form known as voçoroca. As a result, the study shows that the most susceptible material includes colluvium aprons, in situ regoliths, and colluvium-alluvium or alluvium deposits. The most critical situation is in the P2 Surface context, near the bottom of the Marília Plateau scarpment, where surface runoff can be very strong. Another point of active erosion is represented by the exposed walls of gullies and voçorocas, mainly in fluvial reaches subjected to talweg lowering. In a general sense, this study shows current evidence of erosional stability due to the ìntroduction of pastures as a predominant type of land occupation and to a series of erosion control procedures. Among these actions are terrace implantation, construction of small pits for runoff control, natural or induced reforestation by land owners. Despite these efforts, some erosion points remain chiefly in steeper country roads and trail stretches, in areas of concentration of cattle tracks (e.g., near cattle ponds), gullies or voçorocas exposed walls, and badly planned urbanization. The permanence of these erosion points demonstrates the necessity of a continuous monitoring of surface dynamics as well as a rapid and effective intervining measures of erosion and/or silting control.