Research on how homeless individuals perceive shelters, housing programs, and their agents has been limited, especially in relation to the reasons for engaging in or avoiding programs. This phenomenological study explored the perspectives of chronically homeless individuals in Wake County, North Carolina, regarding shelters and housing programs, examining their reasons for using or not using shelters or public housing. Using Glidden's structuration theory as the framework, the research questions for this study were based on exploring the perceptions of homeless individuals use of public resources related to housing and shelters to better understand why some use, and perhaps more importantly, why some choose to not use these resources. Purposeful sampling was used to identify 12 chronically homeless men and women and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data were both deductively and inductively coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis procedure. This study found that the persistence of homelessness is a result of a combination of homeless individuals' perceptions of housing programs' structural failures including long waiting periods for access to housing, unnecessary bureaucratic entanglements, and what they perceived as inaction or apathy on the part of program staff in response to requests for assistance. These findings are consistent with structuration theory. The implications for positive social change include recommendations to policy makers to consider the views and perceptions of homeless people in designing programs, including ways to improve access to public resources that may ultimately lead to permanent housing for homeless individuals.

Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and related technologies have been touted to allow exponential improvements in supply chain logistics and management. However, many industrial users have indicated that these technologies have not provided the anticipated benefits. The two complimentary strategies required to address the RFID reliability are: to improve the reliability of RFID technology and to design the supply chain infrastructure that enables RFID. The focus of this paper is on designing the supply chain infrastructure to enable RFID by developing guidelines for “RFID Ready Facilities”. These guidelines were developed based on a set of experiments conducted in the RFID supply chain laboratory. These guidelines were developed by using Design of Experiments (DOE) to determine the operational and facility factors that impact RFID reliability. The three different packaging strategies were tested on packages, boxes and their various combinations. The main factors considered in the experiments were the following among many others: Package Orientation (PO), Tag Placement (TP), Package Placement (PP), Reader Location (RL), Box Orientation (BO), Tag Placement on Box (TPB) and Tag Placement on Package (TPP). Based on the DOE results, general guidelines were developed for RFID packaging.

Genetically modified cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) acreage has increased dramatically over the last six years. Reports of variable results in fiber quality and yield have arisen in these cultivars. Some changes in production practices have occurred coincident with the introduction of transgenic technology, such as reduced use of broad-spectrum insecticides, including organophosphates (OP) that could potentially influence the growth and yield of cotton. One factor that might affect these parameters is the difference in the amount of foliarly-applied phosphorus (P) between an OP and non-phosphate (NP) insecticide regime. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate selected growth characteristics, yield, and fiber quality of genetically modified and conventional cotton as influenced by OP and foliar phosphorus (FP) applications. A four replication strip-plot experimental design was utilized with cultivar serving as the whole plot and insecticide regime as the sub-plot. Three cultivars of the same recurrent parent (ST4892BR, ST4793R, and ST474) were planted in 2001 and 2002 under irrigated conditions in Burleson County, TX on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine-silty, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept). The insecticide regime consisted of NP, NP+FP, and OP treatments. The FP was applied at P2O5 weight equivalent to the P component in the concurrent OP application. ST4892BR had greater lint yield than ST4793R and ST474. The yield increase can be explained through plant mapping analysis which showed ST4892BR producing larger bolls and greater boll numbers. In addition, evaluation of fruiting distribution showed ST4892BR contained more lint on sympodial branches 6 through 10. The insecticide regime effect on lint yield resulted in higher yield (P=0.08) for the NP+FP regime. Examination of yield components revealed NP+FP increased second position bolls, predominantly at sympodial branches 6 through 10. Leaf tissue analysis revealed increased levels of P for the OP and NP+FP over that of the NP insecticide regime, which indicates a potential for plants to acquire P from OP insecticides. Furthermore, the considerable yield response to small amounts of FP is not clearly understood. While conclusive evidence exists regarding cultivar yield differences, this study does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that OP insecticides influence growth, yield, or fiber quality characteristics of these cotton cultivars.

Genetically modified cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) acreage has increased dramatically over the last six years. Reports of variable results in fiber quality and yield have arisen in these cultivars. Some changes in production practices have occurred coincident with the introduction of transgenic technology, such as reduced use of broad-spectrum insecticides, including organophosphates (OP) that could potentially influence the growth and yield of cotton. One factor that might affect these parameters is the difference in the amount of foliarly-applied phosphorus (P) between an OP and non-phosphate (NP) insecticide regime. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate selected growth characteristics, yield, and fiber quality of genetically modified and conventional cotton as influenced by OP and foliar phosphorus (FP) applications. A four replication strip-plot experimental design was utilized with cultivar serving as the whole plot and insecticide regime as the sub-plot. Three cultivars of the same recurrent parent (ST4892BR, ST4793R, and ST474) were planted in 2001 and 2002 under irrigated conditions in Burleson County, TX on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine-silty, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept). The insecticide regime consisted of NP, NP+FP, and OP treatments. The FP was applied at P2O5 weight equivalent to the P component in the concurrent OP application. ST4892BR had greater lint yield than ST4793R and ST474. The yield increase can be explained through plant mapping analysis which showed ST4892BR producing larger bolls and greater boll numbers. In addition, evaluation of fruiting distribution showed ST4892BR contained more lint on sympodial branches 6 through 10. The insecticide regime effect on lint yield resulted in higher yield (P=0.08) for the NP+FP regime. Examination of yield components revealed NP+FP increased second position bolls, predominantly at sympodial branches 6 through 10. Leaf tissue analysis revealed increased levels of P for the OP and NP+FP over that of the NP insecticide regime, which indicates a potential for plants to acquire P from OP insecticides. Furthermore, the considerable yield response to small amounts of FP is not clearly understood. While conclusive evidence exists regarding cultivar yield differences, this study does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that OP insecticides influence growth, yield, or fiber quality characteristics of these cotton cultivars.

Thesis (MNutr (Human Nutrition))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Obesity is recognizably a chronic disease worldwide and childhood obesity has considerable implications for long‐term health. Manipulation of modifiable lifestyle variables, such as high‐fat energy‐dense diets and decreased physical activity are often recommended for positive (although not always significant) outcomes. This study aimed to determine the specific relationships between ready‐to‐eat cereals (RTEC) consumption (regular RTEC breakfast consumption and regular RTEC afternoon snack consumption), regular increased physical activity, and anthropometric measures [body weight, percentage body fat, and body mass index (BMI)] amongst young adolescents attending public Gauteng schools. A randomised controlled trial was conducted over 5‐weeks amongst 212 cross‐cultural, male and female, English speaking children aged 10‐13 years attending two selected public Gauteng schools. Participants were randomly allocated to one of four cohorts (Control, Step, RTEC or Step & RTEC). The control cohort had no prescribed intervention, the Step cohort had prescribed stepping intervention only (completion of 2 000 additional steps in a 20‐minute period on 3 school days per week), the RTEC cohort had prescribed RTEC consumption intervention only (consumption of a single RTEC serving at breakfast and RTEC snack serving as an afternoon snack on each school day), and the Step & RTEC cohort had both the prescribed stepping and RTEC consumption interventions. Participants were assessed anthropometrically at baseline and at the end of the 5 weeks. They also submitted a food/activity diary from which quantitative measures of their intake and activity were determined. The Step (107 845 ± 31 251) and Step & RTEC (108 793 ± 26 285) cohorts both completed significantly more mean total steps than Control (83 501 ± 22 302) and RTEC (86 082 ± 23 367) cohorts (p≤0.01), and a significant negative correlation (p=0.02; r=‐0.21) was found between the change in percentage body fat and the total steps completed. The Step & RTEC (14.32 ± 7.95) and RTEC (16.06 ± 8.82) cohorts consumed more RTEC snack servings as afternoon snacks than Control (1.13 ± 1.69) and Step (1.59 ± 2.50) cohorts (p≤0.01), and a significant negative correlation (p=0.03; r=‐0.20) was found between the participants’ change in weight and the servings of RTEC snacks consumed as an afternoon snack. No significant difference (p=0.35) was achieved in mean weight change across the four cohorts, although both Step & RTEC (‐0.12 ± 0.81) and RTEC (‐0.24 ± 0.77) cohorts showed a mean decrease in body weight. No significant difference (p=0.47) was achieved in mean change in percentage body fat across the four cohorts either, although all cohorts showed a decrease in percentage body fat, with Step cohort (‐0.32 ± 0.70) showing the greatest mean change. The stepping intervention alone brought about greatest decrease in percentage body fat, while the RTEC consumption intervention alone brought about greatest decrease in body weight and BMI. The combination of interventions was the least effective of the three interventions in bringing about decreases in percentage body fat.

Récemment, une nouvelle ère du commerce « connecté » arrive, dans laquelle l’offre des services logistiques fluides entre les différents canaux de vente, sera primordiale pour les réseaux de distribution. Dans ce contexte d’omnicanalité, nous focalisons aux liens pouvant être établis entre le logistics model adopté et le business model. Nous formulons l’hypothèse selon laquelle le logistics model adopté peut faire évoluer le business model : P1: le business model a un impact sur le logistics model. P2: Le logistics model a un impact sur le business model. P3: Quand le business model évolue, le logistics model évolue et s’adapte. P4 : L’évolution du logistics model a un impact sur l’évolution du business model. P5 : L’innovation du logistics model peut pousser l’innovation du business model. Une recherche empirique (4 cas) est menée permettant de capter les aspects dynamiques. Des entretiens semi-directifs avec les dirigeants, les responsables logistiques ont été réalisés. Des analyses intra-cas et inter-cas ont été menées. Apports: Au plan théorique, nous définissons les composants des business model et des logistics model dans l’industrie du prêt-à-porter et montrons 4 processus logistiques liés à la proposition de valeur. Nous montrons comment les évolutions ou les innovations logistiques peuvent permettre d’acquérir des compétences et du savoir-faire distinctifs susceptibles de proposer de nouvelles propositions de valeur aux clients et d’améliorer le business model d’une enseigne. Au plan managérial, les distributeurs trouveront matière à modéliser leurs activités et à positionner les services logistiques au centre de leurs business models futurs. / Recently, a new era of “connected commerce” is emerging, where the ability of offering effective and fluid logistics services among the different channels will be a key feature of distribution networks. In the context of omnichannel, we focus on the dynamic links between logistics model adopted by a distribution company and its business model. We make the hypothesis that the adopted logistics model can lead to changes in the business model: P1: the business model impacts the logistics model. P2: the logistics model impacts the business model. P3: the evolution of the business model impacts the evolution of the logistics model. P4: the evolution of the logistics model impacts the evolution of the business model. P5: The innovation of the logistics model impacts the innovation of the business model. To answer the research questions, we conducted a dynamic empirical research (four case studies in the ready-to-wear industry). Semi-structured interview with leaders, and logistics managers were conducted, followed by an intra-case and cross-case analyzes.Implications: At the theoretical level, we define precisely the components of the business model and the logistics model and demonstrate an association between four logistics processes and the value proposition to customers. We show how evolution and innovation of logistics can provide distinctive skills and know-how that can help create new value propositions to customers and improve the company’s business model. At the managerial level, our study offers insights to retailers certain ways to model their activities and to position the logistics services at the center of their future business model.

A presente tese teve como objetivo primordial cartografar e analisar algumas instituições e mitos que potencializaram, no contexto do estado do Rio de Janeiro, a emergência e a legitimação da prática da adoção-pronta. Por adoção-pronta, entendemos as solicitações de adoções que aportam nos Juizados da Infância e da Juventude como fato consumado, isto é, a criança a ser adotada já se encontra, concretamente, com os requerentes que pretendem regularizar uma situação instituída. Essa medida, via de regra, sustenta-se num tripé: uma mãe que entrega, um casal que acolhe e discursos de especialistas, dentre eles, psicólogos e assistentes sociais, que ratificam tal relação. A amostragem da pesquisa foi composta por dez processos de adoção-pronta, sendo cinco na vigência do Código de Menores e cinco sob a ótica do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente. A genealogia histórica de Foucault, as ferramentas da Análise Institucional bem como a Análise e a Ordem do Discurso de Orlandi e Foucault foram, nesse percurso, os recortes metodológicos priorizados. As análises permitiram constatar que são pobres, jovens, solteiras e empregadas domésticas as mulheres-mães que entregam seus filhos em adoção. Os que acolhem, em sua maioria, são legalmente casados, economicamente ativos, possuem filhos e, não mantém com a mãe biológica, laços de parentalidade. Os laudos técnicos, via de regra, têm colocado, na mãe pobre, a responsabilidade e a autonomia pelo ato de entrega e, portanto, vêm funcionando como instrumentos de produção e sustentação de subjetividades, tais como a de mãe desnaturada. Em síntese, as análises nos possibilitaram concluir que os discursos dos especialistas longe de afirmarem a ineficácia das políticas públicas como co-autoras dos processos de destituição do poder familiar, vêm afirmando a adoção-pronta como prática de repercussão pública, isto é, enquanto uma solução-alternativa ao quadro de pobreza de cidadania. / The primary goal of the following thesis it to map and analyze some institutions and myths that aggrandized the emergency and the litigation of the "ready-adoption" practice. By "ready-adoption" we connote that adoption solicitations arrived at the Childhood and Youth Bureau as a finished fact, in other words, the child in question for adoption is already found under the guard of those who requested the adoption. This measure is based on what we call a "tripod system" composed of: the mother who is giving the child up for adoption, the adopting parents and a group of specialists that include psychologists and social workers that ratify such relationship. The sample is composed of tens "ready-adoption" cases of which five are under the Minors Code and five under the Child and Adolescent Statute. Foucault's historical genealogy, the tolls of Institutionalized Analysis as well as the Analysis and Order of Orlandi's and Foucault's discourses, were the prioritized methods used. These analyses allowed for evidencing that the women who give their children up for adoption are poor, young, single maidservants. Those who adopt are, in majority, legally married, economically active and have children that do not keep parenting attachments with the biological mother. The technical findings have placed responsibility and autonomy of delivering the child on the poor mother, therefore functioning as instruments that produce and support subjectivity, such as " unreasonable-mother". In short, the analyses allowed us to conclude that discourses from specialists far from affirming the inefficacy of public politics as co-authors of the destitution of the family power, it actually affirms "ready-adoption" as a public practice, in other words, an alternative solution to the poor citizenship circumstances.

A presente tese teve como objetivo primordial cartografar e analisar algumas instituições e mitos que potencializaram, no contexto do estado do Rio de Janeiro, a emergência e a legitimação da prática da adoção-pronta. Por adoção-pronta, entendemos as solicitações de adoções que aportam nos Juizados da Infância e da Juventude como fato consumado, isto é, a criança a ser adotada já se encontra, concretamente, com os requerentes que pretendem regularizar uma situação instituída. Essa medida, via de regra, sustenta-se num tripé: uma mãe que entrega, um casal que acolhe e discursos de especialistas, dentre eles, psicólogos e assistentes sociais, que ratificam tal relação. A amostragem da pesquisa foi composta por dez processos de adoção-pronta, sendo cinco na vigência do Código de Menores e cinco sob a ótica do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente. A genealogia histórica de Foucault, as ferramentas da Análise Institucional bem como a Análise e a Ordem do Discurso de Orlandi e Foucault foram, nesse percurso, os recortes metodológicos priorizados. As análises permitiram constatar que são pobres, jovens, solteiras e empregadas domésticas as mulheres-mães que entregam seus filhos em adoção. Os que acolhem, em sua maioria, são legalmente casados, economicamente ativos, possuem filhos e, não mantém com a mãe biológica, laços de parentalidade. Os laudos técnicos, via de regra, têm colocado, na mãe pobre, a responsabilidade e a autonomia pelo ato de entrega e, portanto, vêm funcionando como instrumentos de produção e sustentação de subjetividades, tais como a de mãe desnaturada. Em síntese, as análises nos possibilitaram concluir que os discursos dos especialistas longe de afirmarem a ineficácia das políticas públicas como co-autoras dos processos de destituição do poder familiar, vêm afirmando a adoção-pronta como prática de repercussão pública, isto é, enquanto uma solução-alternativa ao quadro de pobreza de cidadania. / The primary goal of the following thesis it to map and analyze some institutions and myths that aggrandized the emergency and the litigation of the "ready-adoption" practice. By "ready-adoption" we connote that adoption solicitations arrived at the Childhood and Youth Bureau as a finished fact, in other words, the child in question for adoption is already found under the guard of those who requested the adoption. This measure is based on what we call a "tripod system" composed of: the mother who is giving the child up for adoption, the adopting parents and a group of specialists that include psychologists and social workers that ratify such relationship. The sample is composed of tens "ready-adoption" cases of which five are under the Minors Code and five under the Child and Adolescent Statute. Foucault's historical genealogy, the tolls of Institutionalized Analysis as well as the Analysis and Order of Orlandi's and Foucault's discourses, were the prioritized methods used. These analyses allowed for evidencing that the women who give their children up for adoption are poor, young, single maidservants. Those who adopt are, in majority, legally married, economically active and have children that do not keep parenting attachments with the biological mother. The technical findings have placed responsibility and autonomy of delivering the child on the poor mother, therefore functioning as instruments that produce and support subjectivity, such as " unreasonable-mother". In short, the analyses allowed us to conclude that discourses from specialists far from affirming the inefficacy of public politics as co-authors of the destitution of the family power, it actually affirms "ready-adoption" as a public practice, in other words, an alternative solution to the poor citizenship circumstances.

A incorporação de ingredientes funcionais a produtos de panificação tem crescido muito ultimamente, em função da preocupação com a saúde dos consumidores. A linhaça tem despertado o interesse pelo seu alto teor de fibras, lignanas, ômega-3 e compostos antioxidantes. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da radiação ionizante de 60Co nas características físico-químicas, sensoriais e microbiológicas de pães com adição de diferentes concentrações de linhaça marrom. Foram elaborados 3 tipos de pães: pão francês, pão de forma preparado com pré-mistura e pão de forma elaborado com ingredientes (\"convencional\"). Foi adicionada linhaça marrom triturada na massa dos pães nas concentrações 8% e 12%. Após o preparo, os pães foram embalados em embalagem de polipropileno e levados ao Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas Nucleares (IPEN/USP) e irradiados nas doses 6, 8 e 10 kGy. Foram elaborados tratamentos sem adição de linhaça e sem irradiação para controle, totalizando no experimento 12 tratamentos, para cada formulação de pão testado. Foram realizadas análises químicas (composição centesimal, compostos antinutricionais, atividade antioxidante, índice glicêmico, ácidos graxos, vitaminas do complexo B e minerais); análises físicas (índice de cocção, volume, cor e atividade de água); análise sensorial (teste de preferência e Análise Descritiva Quantitativa - ADQ); análise microbiológica e uma pesquisa de opinião sobre produtos irradiados. Observou-se que a adição de linhaça foi eficiente para aumentar o teor de fibras alimentares e o teor de lipídeos nas 3 formulações de pães. Os pães que receberam adição de linhaça e que não foram irradiados apresentaram aumento no teor de fenólicos totais, porém, ao submeter as amostras que receberam adição de linhaça ao processo de irradiação, observou-se diminuição da capacidade antioxidante. Houve aumento no teor de ômega 3 de acordo com a porcentagem de linhaça adicionada aos pães. A adição de linhaça foi eficiente para aumentar o teor de potássio, fósforo e magnésio. Porém a irradiação diminuiu o teor de vitamina B1 e vitamina B6 dos pães. A irradiação não influenciou na qualidade dos pães obtidos. Os provadores não treinados aceitaram os pães independentemente da dose de radiação aplicada. A ADQ evidenciou que as características sensoriais das amostras são dependentes da variação dos ingredientes utilizados nas formulações e da irradiação. As amostras irradiadas apresentaram contagens de bolores consideravelmente mais baixos que as amostra não irradiadas, o que aumentou o shelflife desses produtos. A pesquisa de opinião revelou que a maioria dos entrevistados tem pouco ou nenhum conhecimento sobre irradiação e acreditam que a irradiação pode trazer algum tipo de prejuízo ao humano. Portanto, a fabricação de pães enriquecidos com sementes de linhaça triturada e submetidos à radiação gama é promissora, uma vez que as propriedades químicas e sensoriais foram consideradas satisfatórias, além de terem o tempo de prateleira aumentado / The incorporation of functional ingredients on breading products has grown very much lately, because of the preoccupation with the consumers\' health. The linseed has awakened the interest by its high level of fiber, lignin, omega-3 and antioxidants compounds. The objective of the present work is evaluate the ionizing radiation effect of 60Co on the physical-chemical, sensorial and microbiological characteristics of bread with addition of different concentration of brown linseed. There were elaborated 3 types of bread: French roll, form bread prepared with the mixture and form bread produced with conventional ingredients. It was added smashed brown linseed on the bread dough, with concentrations of 8% and 12%. After the preparation, the three kinds of bread packed with polypropylene packages and taken to the IPEN/USP (Institute of Nuclear Energetic Research/University of São Paulo) and irradiated with doses of 6, 8 and 10 kGy. Treatments were elaborated without the addition of linseed and without irradiation, for control, totalizing 12 distinct treatments, to each bread formula tested. Chemical analyses were made (centesimal composition, anti-nutritional compounds, anti-oxidant activity, glycemic index, fat acids, complex B vitamins and minerals); physical analyses (cooking index, volume, color and water activity); sensorial analyses (preference tests and Descriptive Quantitative Analysis - ADQ); microbiological analysis and a survey about irradiated products. It could be seen that the addition of linseed was efficient to increase the level of alimentary fiber and the level of lipids on the 3 bread formula. The three kinds of bread that received the linseed addition and that were not irradiated presented increase on the level of total phenolic; however, when the samples which received the linseed addition were submitted to the irradiation process, it could be noticed the decrease of the antioxidant capacity. There was an increase on the level of omega-3, depending on the percentage of linseed added to the bread. The linseed addition was effective to raise the level of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. But, the irradiation decrease the level of vitamin B1 and vitamin B6 of the three kinds of bread. The irradiation did not influence the quality of the obtained bread. The sample tasters, not trained, accepted the bread independently of the doses of applied radiation. The ADQ test evidenced that the sensorial characteristics of the samples depend on the ingredient variation used on the formulas and on the radiation. The irradiated samples presented mold counting considerably lower than the non-irradiated samples, which increased the shelf-life of those products. The survey reveals that the majority of the people interviewed has little or any knowledge about radiation and believe that the irradiation can generate some kind of harm for human beings. Therefore, the bread production enriched with mashed linseed and submitted to gamma radiation is promising, given that the chemical and sensorial properties were considered satisfactory, besides the increasing of the shelf-time

O presente trabalho trata do problema da programação de entrega de concreto produzido em centrais dosadoras. Tal programação engloba as decisões de qual central deverá atender cada cliente e em qual horário cada veículo de entrega deverá ser carregado nessa central, de forma a maximizar a receita marginal total do sistema. São consideradas restrições de capacidade de carregamento de veículos por central, disponibilidade da frota, e garantia de atendimento de todos os pedidos de cada cliente por uma única central. A fim de resolver esse problema de forma eficiente, é proposto um modelo de programação matemática baseado em uma rede espaço-tempo, o qual foi implementado em ambiente de planilha eletrônica, como parte de um sistema de apoio à decisão. O sistema conta com uma interface amigável para o usuário, desenvolvida em linguagem VBA, que apresenta facilidade de preenchimento dos dados de entrada e compreensão dos resultados fornecidos, mesmo por aqueles sem conhecimento em pesquisa operacional. A aplicação do modelo proposto para a resolução de problemas com dados reais confirma que o modelo funciona corretamente, considera as restrições e gera rapidamente a solução ótima. Sendo assim, a ferramenta desenvolvida mostra-se bastante útil para as operações de programação de uma empresa concreteira que opera diversas centrais dosadoras de concreto. / This paper addresses the problem of scheduling concrete delivery produced in concrete batch plants. Such scheduling comprises the decisions of which center should serve each customer and what time each delivery vehicle should be loaded, so as to maximize the total marginal revenue of the system. Vehicle loading capacity constraints per center, fleet availability and the assurance that all orders will be fulfilled by a single concrete center are considered. In order to solve this problem efficiently, we propose a mathematical programming model based on a time-space network, implemented in a spreadsheet environment, as part of a decision support system. The system features a user-friendly interface, developed in VBA, which makes it easy to enter data and understand the results provided, even by those without knowledge in operational research. The implementation of the proposed model to solve problems with real data confirms that the model works properly, taking into consideration the constraints and quickly generating the optimal solution. Thus, the developed tool appears to be very useful for scheduling operations of a company which operates several concrete batch plants.