A biased random‐key genetic algorithm for OSPF and DEFT routing to minimize network congestion

Interior gateway routing protocols like Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Distributed Exponentially Weighted Flow Splitting (DEFT) send flow through forward links toward the destination node. OSPF routes only on shortest‐weight paths, whereas DEFT sends flow on all forward links, but with an exponential penalty on longer paths. Finding suitable weights for these protocols is known as the weight setting problem (WSP). In this paper, we present a biased random‐key genetic algorithm for WSP using both protocols. The algorithm uses dynamic flow and dynamic shortest path computations. We report computational experiments that show that DEFT achieves less network congestion when compared with OSPF, while, however, yielding larger delays.     

The between-day and inter-rater reliability of a novel wireless system to analyse lumbar spine posture

Lumbar posture is commonly assessed in non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP), although quantitative measures have mostly been limited to laboratory environments. The BodyGuard? is a spinal position monitoring device that can monitor posture in real time, both inside and outside the laboratory. The reliability of this wireless device was examined in 18 healthy participants during usual sitting and forward bending, two tasks that are commonly provocative in NSCLBP. Reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), the standard error of measurement (SEM), the mean difference and the minimal detectable change (MDC90). Between-day ICC values ranged from 0.84 to 0.87, with small SEM (5%), mean difference (<9%) and MDC90 (<14%) values. Inter-rater ICC values ranged from 0.91 to 0.94, with small SEM (4%), mean difference (6%) and MDC90 (9%) values. Between-day and inter-rater reliability are essential requirements for clinical utility and were excellent in this study. Further studies into the validity of this device and its application in clinical trials in occupational settings are required. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: A novel device that can analyse spinal posture exposure in occupational settings in a minimally invasive manner has been developed. This study established that the device has excellent between-day and inter-rater reliability in healthy pain-free subjects. Further studies in people with low back pain are planned.     

Principal component analysis as a tool for studying interdependences among trace metals in edible mussels from the gulf of Trieste

Summary Principal component analysis has been applied to analyze the correlation matrix obtained from a (6 × 44) data matrix. The 6 trace metals are Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb, which are contained in the soft part of edible mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck) from a hatchery on the gulf of Trieste. In the space of eigenvectors, the dimensions are reduced to 3 principal axes, which account for about 77% of the total variance.The unrotated factor matrix obtained by the principal components shows that Co, Ni and Cu are bonded to the first principal component, Cd and Pb to the second, Hg to the third. This picture is also assessed by the Varimax-rotated matrix and it is tentatively explained, at least in part, by considering the associations of the trace metals from various geographical sources.

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Hauptkomponentenanalyse für das Studium der Assoziationen unter Spurenmetallen in Miesmuscheln im Golf von Triest

Zusammenfassung Die Hauptkomponentenanalyse wurde auf die Korrelationsmatrix, die aus der (6 × 44) Datenmatrix hervorgeht, angewandt. Die 6 Spurenmetalle sind Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, die im Miesmuschelnfleisch (Mytilus galloprovineialis Lamarck) gefunden werden. Die Miesmuschelnproben stammen aus der Zucht des Golfes von Triest. In dem Eigenvektorraum werden die Dimensionen auf drei Hauptachsen reduziert, die ungefähr 77% der totalen Varianz erklären.Die unrotierte Faktorenmatrix, die aus den Hauptkomponenten hervorgeht, zeigt, daß Co, Ni, Cu an die erste Hauptkomponente, Cd und Pb an die zweite, Hg an die dritte gebunden sind. Dieses Bild wird von der Varimax-rotierten Matrix bestätigt und es findet eine Erklärung in der Herkunft der Spurenmetalle.

     

Damage Detection Utilizing the Damage Index Method to a Benchmark Structure

This paper addresses the first generation benchmark problem on structural health monitoring developed by the ASCE Task Group on Structural Health Monitoring. The focus of the problem is a four-story model of an existing physical model at the University of British Columbia where simulated data are used for the system identification. Modal parameters were extracted using the frequency domain decomposition method. Rather than relying on data from the undamaged structure, a new proposed methodology based on ratios between stiffness and mass values from the eigenvalue problem is presented to identify the undamaged state of the structure. Once the structural identification is complete, the damage index method is used to detect the location and severity of damage. By not relying on undamaged structure information, this approach may be applicable to existing structures that may already incorporate some amount of damage.     

Enzymatic synthesis of sugar esters and their potential as surface-active stabilizers of coconut milk emulsions

Sugar esters are compounds with surfactant properties (biosurfactants), i.e., capable of reducing the surface tension and promote the emulsification of immiscible liquids. On the other hand, as with all emulsions, coconut milk is not physically stable and is prone to phase separation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the synthesis of fructose, sucrose and lactose esters from the corresponding sugars using Candida antarctica type B lipase immobilized in two different supports, namely acrylic resin and chitosan, and evaluate its application in the stabilization of coconut milk emulsions. The enzyme immobilized on chitosan showed the highest yield of lactose ester production (84.1%). Additionally, the production of fructose ester was found to be higher for the enzyme immobilized on the acrylic resin support (74.3%) as compared with the one immobilized on chitosan (70.1%). The same trend was observed for the sucrose ester, although with lower percentage yields. Sugar esters were then added to samples of fresh coconut milk and characterized according to their surface tension, emulsification index and particle size distribution. Although the microscopic analysis showed similar results for all sugar esters, results indicated lactose ester as the best biosurfactant, with a surface tension of 38.0 N/m and an emulsification index of 54.1%, when used in a ratio of 1:10 (biosurfactant:coconut milk, v/v) for 48 h experiments.     

Plant oil bioconversion into increase biological activity through lipases derived from wastes

The aim of this study was to show that abundant and inexpensive plant oils can be biotransformed to increase biological activity (antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity) through hydrolysis reaction catalysed by lipases. We tested homemade and commercial lipases through the biotransformation of nine different plant oils in forty different combinations. First, the chemical composition of the samples was investigated. Thereafter, biological tests were conducted to assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the sampled biotransformation products, as well as analyzed their influence on the viability of healthy and cancer cells. Summarising, sunflower, corn and olive oils modified by orange waste-obtained lipases presented the most promising results, reaching up to 90% of antioxidant activity increase and significant growth inhibition of bacteria colonies belonging to genera Escherichia, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Salmonella. In addition, those compounds affected human oral squamous carcinoma cells. The bioconversion of plant oils through lipases improves their biological properties and might be an option for biotechnological application.     

<i>Trypanosoma rangeli:</i> growth in mammalian cells <i>in vitro</i> and action of a repositioned drug (17-AAG) and a natural extract (<i>Artemisia sp</i>. essential oil)

Trypanosoma rangeli and T. cruzi are both parasitic unicellular species that infect humans. Unlike T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, T. rangeli is an infective and non-pathogenic parasite for humans, but pathogenic for vectors from the Rhodnius genus. Because both species can coexist in different hosts and overlap their infective cycles but very little is known about the infection of T. rangeli in mammalian cells, we decided to characterize both the development of this parasite in cell culture and the effect of therapeutic agents with potential trypanocidal action on it. We found that T. rangeli exhibits a cycle of infection in Vero cells similar to that for T. cruzi and that the repurposed drug, 17-AAG, and the natural extract Artemisia sp. essential oil produce a toxic effect on epimastigotes showing a trypanocidal action from the fifth day of culture. Both treatments also affected the infection of trypomastigotes and reduced the capacity of replication of amastigotes of T. rangeli. Since T. cruzi / T. rangeli coinfection cases have been reported, the finding of drugs with potential activity against both species could be significant in the future. Furthermore, studies of susceptibility of both species to drugs could also help to know the different mechanisms of pathogenicity in humans displayed by T. cruzi that are absent in T. rangeli     

Process and terminations variations aware stability criteria for microwave amplifiers

Two novel process variations aware, necessary and sufficient conditions suitable for implementation in CAD optimizers are proposed to check amplifiers stability. Case studies are presented, showing that the new criteria allow robust amplifier design, under variation of active device immittance parameters in pre‐specified rectangular regions, due to manufacturing tolerances. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 23: 619–626, 2013.     

Comparison between discrete and continuous analysis of facial expressions,elicited by bitter-tasting beverages in overweight and healthy-weight individuals

The aim of the present study was to compare the information provided by a discrete and continuous data analysis of two emotions (disgust and joy), elicited by bitter-tasting beverages (coffee, yerba mate infusion and grapefruit juice) in two groups with different body mass index (BMI): overweight group (25 < BMI < 30), and healthy-weight control group (18.5 < BMI ≤ 25). Participants (n = 66; 34 females, 32 males) evaluated a total of three consecutive sips of the same beverage (taking one sip every 20 s and registering a continuous video for 60 s). The Wilcoxon test (continuous analysis) showed some changes generated as the drinks were being consumed. The biggest difference was the expression of disgust for coffee in the high BMI group, at the first sip (0–10 s). It represented 27% compared to 2% in normal BMI. The continuous analysis allowed to observe the periods where the differences were greater (0–10 and 40–50 s).