Thiago Bernardino de Carvalho

Unitary input DEA model to identify beef cattle production systems typologies

The cow-calf beef production sector in Brazil has a wide variety of operating systems. This suggests the identification and the characterization of homogeneous regions of production, with consequent implementation of actions to achieve its sustainability. In this paper we attempted to measure the performance of 21 livestock modal production systems, in their cow-calf phase. We measured the performance of these systems, considering husbandry and production variables. The proposed approach is based on data envelopment analysis (DEA). We used unitary input DEA model, with apparent input orientation, together with the efficiency measurements generated by the inverted DEA frontier. We identified five modal production systems typologies, using the isoefficiency layers approach. The results showed that the knowledge and the processes management are the most important factors for improving the efficiency of beef cattle production systems.

Análise de desempenho de sistemas de produção modais de pecuária de cria no Brasil

Neste artigo propoe-se analisar comparativamente o desempenho de sistemas de producao modais de pecuaria extensiva de corte na fase de cria em 21 municipios brasileiros. A cria e a fase da atividade que sustenta toda a cadeia de producao da pecuaria de corte. E usado o modelo de analise envoltoria de dados (DEA) com retornos variaveis de escala. O objetivo e medir o desempenho da decisao do produtor em relacao a composicao do sistema produtivo. As variaveis usadas sao numero de reprodutores, quantidade de bezerros e vacas de descarte. Dos 21 sistemas avaliados, quatro foram DEA BCC eficientes e a maioria dos sistemas avaliados opera na regiao de retornos crescentes de escala.

Formas plurais de governança: uma análise das transações de suprimento entre frigoríficos e pecuaristas

This work examined the existence of plural forms in the transaction between slaughterhouses and beef cattle farmers, analyzing the determinants of companies’ choice of governance structures. Three slaughterhouses were studied, using the literature of plural forms of governance as theoretical framework. It was found that only one of the slaughterhouses adopts plural forms to coordinate their beef cattle purchase transactions, and the other two companies obtained all of their live cattle supply through spot market trades. The determinants of plural forms adoption were aligned with the theoretical model. Ambiguity, complexity and strategic behavior variables determine the choice of the governance structure. For the other two companies, we noted little or no ambiguity and complexity in the transactions, and the absence of strategic motivations for the use of plural forms. Principal advantages of this strategy of coordination were: (i) reduction of information asymmetry; (ii) advantages of scale and greater bargaining power in the spot market; (iii) flexibility to supply different distribution channels and (iv) cross-learning effects.

Ex-Post Clustering of Brazilian Beef Cattle Farms Using Soms and Cross-Evaluation Dea Models

The beef cattle production system is the set of technologies and management practices, ani‐ mal type, purpose of breeding, breed group and the eco-region where the activity is devel‐ oped. The central structure in the beef cattle production chain is the biological system of beef production, including the stages of creation (cow-calf production, stocker production, feedlot beef production) and their combinations. The cow-calf phase is the less profitable ac‐ tivity and the one that has the higher risk. However, it supports the entire structure of the production system.

241 Nasal Cytology is Important in the Classification of Patients with Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis.

Background The purpose of the study is the classification and clinical characterization of patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic and differentiate the presence of eosinophils and neutrophils in nasal cytology. Methods Prospective study of 405 patients with chronic symptoms of sneezes, pruritus, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea were evaluated by clinical examination, skin prick test and nasal cytology. Patients with diseases and/or treatments that could alter the outcome of these tests were excluded. Results 405 patients from 3 to 80 years were evaluated; 248 female patients (61%) and 157 males (39%). The sample was divided into 2 groups according to skin prick tests: allergic 270 (67%), 135 non-allergic (33%). The mean age of onset of symptoms was 14.27 and 23.47 years in allergic and nonallergic respectively. Nasal symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezes/pruritus, rhinorrhea, postnasal secretion) and signs (turbinates color and edema, secretion and oropharynx redness) were accessed using scores from 0 to 3, ranging from 0 to 24. In the allergic group the mean total nasal symptoms and signs scores were 6.64 and 4.66, while in non-allergic were 5.67 and 3.52. Allergic patients had an average 27.82% of eosinophils and 64.09% of neutrophils in nasal smears, whereas non-allergic patients 8.38% and 85.30%. Using skin prick test and nasal cytology we were able to diagnose allergic rhinitis in 69.6% (208) of the patients. 20.7% (62) had neutrophilic non-allergic rhinitis (NARNA) and 9.7% (29) non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES). No idiopathic rhinitis patients were found. Conclusions The frequencies of the types of rhinitis were: allergic rhinitis 69.6%, RENA 9.7%, NARNA 20.7% and idiopathic rhinitis 0%. Despite the fact that each sub group of nonallergic rhinitis has particularities, in allergic rhinitis we found early onset of complaints, signs and symptoms more intense and a greater number of eosinophils, compared with the nonallergic patients.