This research aimed to develop a Fuzzy inference based on expert system to help preventing lameness in dairy cattle. Hoof length, nutritional parameters and floor material properties (roughness) were used to build the Fuzzy inference system. The expert system architecture was defined using Unified Modelling Language (UML). Data were collected in a commercial dairy herd using two different subgroups (H 1 and H 2 ), in order to validate the Fuzzy inference functions. The numbers of True Positive (TP), False Positive (FP), True Negative (TN), and False Negative (FN) responses were used to build the classifier system up, after an established gold standard comparison. A Lesion Incidence Possibility (LIP) developed function indicates the chances of a cow becoming lame. The obtained lameness percentage in H 1 and H 2 was 8.40% and 1.77%, respectively. The system estimated a Lesion Incidence Possibility (LIP) of 5.00% and 2.00% in H 1 and H 2 , respectively. The system simulation presented 3.40% difference from real cattle lameness data for H 1 , while for H 2 , it was 0.23%; indicating the system efficiency in decision-making.

Abstract. Communications agencies are private organizations that have a fundamental role in marketing and communication markets. Following this perspective, this study, with the support of Social Network Analysis tools, the structure of an agency will be modeled with the purpose of identifying the most important actors and its relationships, and show its interdependence with the workflow of the production chain. To achieve compatible results with the organization goals, it is important that their areas or teams relate with one another so as to optimize their production processes. With support of the Ucinet ® software and its integrated module NetDraw ® , this paper describes through a case study, how to implement this innovative approach and follow the evolution of the network in order to improve their operational performance. The results pointed out an increase in productivity after the analysis and change in the organization's internal communication.