A job-shop problem with one additional resource type

We consider a job-shop scheduling problem with n jobs and the constraint that at most p<n jobs can be processed simultaneously. This model arises in several manufacturing processes, where each operation has to be assisted by one human operator and there are p (versatile) operators. The problem is binary NP-hard even with n=3 and p=2. When the number of jobs is fixed, we give a pseudopolynomial dynamic programming algorithm and a fully polynomial time approximation scheme (FPTAS). We also propose an enumeration scheme based on a generalized disjunctive graph, and a dynamic programming-based heuristic algorithm. The results of an extensive computational study for the case with n=3 and p=2 are presented.     

A heuristic approach to batching and scheduling a single machine to minimize setup costs

In this paper we consider the problem of creating batches of parts, to be processed in a flexible manufacturing cell, and scheduling their operations. We consider the case in which the system consists of one machine and at most k parts may be present in the system at the same time. Given that each part requires a sequence of operations, and each operation requires a given tool, the objective is to minimize the total number of setups. We develop a heuristic algorithm for its solution and we present an extensive computational experience.     

An approximate A algorithm and its application to the SCS problem

In this paper we deal with algorithm A^* and its application to the problem of finding the shortest common supersequence of a set of sequences. A^* is a powerful search algorithm which may be used to carry out concurrently the construction of a network and the solution of a shortest path problem on it. We prove a general approximation property of A^* which, by building a smaller network, allows us to find a solution with a given approximation ratio. This is particularly useful when dealing with large instances of some problem. We apply this approach to the solution of the shortest common supersequence problem and show its effectiveness.     

The CNPM thermal heat pump. Part 1 — general description and thermodynamic analysis

A research programme, funded by CNR (National Research Council), has been undertaken by CNPM since 1973. The aim of the programme is the construction and testing of a prototype thermal heat pump. The most significant component is an organic Rankine cycle engine, driving the compressor of a heat pump. Since the heat rejected by the engine is supplied to the user — water for domestic heating — the whole system performs as a ‘heat multiplier’, converting the high temperature heat given to the engine into a larger amount of low temperature heat, to be used for domestic heating.In this paper, the selection criteria for the working fluid — a completely fluoro-substituted hydrocarbon — and the main thermodynamic data of both power and heat pump cycles, are discussed; the finally adopted plant configuration is described, with particular emphasis on the influence exterted by the working fluid nature on the heat exchangers and turbo-machinery dimensions and performance. A discussion on the merits of the single fluid solution (ie the same working fluid in the power and the heat pump cycle) and dual fluid solution is also carried out. The feasibility of a low-temperature heat distribution, based on compact-surface, natural-draft convectors, with the relevant advantages on the Rankine and heat-pump cycles, is also investigated.Finally, the expected overal; system performance is given, both at design and part-load conditions. As a premium for the rather complex but efficient thermodynamicscv of the system, significant energy savings are obtained in all situations.     

It Is High Time Physicians Thought of Natural Products for Alleviating NAFLD. Is There Sufficient Evidence to Use Them?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease all over the world due to the obesity pandemic; currently, therapeutic options for NAFLD are scarce, except for diet recommendations and physical activity. NAFLD is characterized by excessive accumulation of fat deposits (>5%) in the liver with subsequent inflammation and fibrosis. Studies in the literature show that insulin resistance (IR) may be considered as the key mechanism in the onset and progression of NAFLD. Recently, using natural products as an alternative approach in the treatment of NAFLD has drawn growing attention among physicians. In this review, the authors present the most recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and lines of evidence from animal models about the efficacy of nutraceutics in alleviating NAFLD. Among the most studied substances in the literature, the following molecules were chosen because of their presence in the literature of both clinical and preclinical studies: spirulina, oleuropein, garlic, berberine, resveratrol, curcumin, ginseng, glycyrrhizin, coffee, cocoa powder, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and bromelain.     

Characterization of Chromosomal Breakpoints in 12 Cases with 8p Rearrangements Defines a Continuum of Fragility of the Region

Improvements in microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization technology have allowed for high-resolution detection of genome wide copy number alterations, leading to a better definition of rearrangements and supporting the study of pathogenesis mechanisms. In this study, we focused our attention on chromosome 8p. We report 12 cases of 8p rearrangements, analyzed by molecular karyotype, evidencing a continuum of fragility that involves the entire short arm. The breakpoints seem more concentrated in three intervals: one at the telomeric end, the others at 8p23.1, close to the beta-defensin gene cluster and olfactory receptor low-copy repeats. Hypothetical mechanisms for all cases are described. Our data extend the cohort of published patients with 8p aberrations and highlight the need to pay special attention to these sequences due to the risk of formation of new chromosomal aberrations with pathological effects.     

Engineering Natural Pollen Grains as Multifunctional 3D Printing Materials

The development of multifunctional 3D printing materials from sustainable natural resources is a high priority in additive manufacturing. Using an eco-friendly method to transform hard pollen grains into stimulus-responsive microgel particles, we engineered a pollen-derived microgel suspension that can serve as a functional reinforcement for composite hydrogel inks and as a supporting matrix for versatile freeform 3D printing systems. The pollen microgel particles enabled the printing of composite inks and improved the mechanical and physiological stabilities of alginate and hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffolds for 3D cell culture applications. Moreover, the particles endowed the inks with stimulus-responsive controlled release properties. The suitability of the pollen microgel suspension as a supporting matrix for freeform 3D printing of alginate and silicone rubber inks was demonstrated and optimized by tuning the rheological properties of the microgel. Compared with other classes of natural materials, pollen grains have several compelling features, including natural abundance, renewability, affordability, processing ease, monodispersity, and tunable rheological features, which make them attractive candidates to engineer advanced materials for 3D printing applications.     

Relationship between splanchnic, peripheral and cardiac haemodynamics in liver cirrhosis of different degrees of severity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between changes in splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics in liver cirrhosis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Abdominal and peripheral duplex-Doppler sonography and Doppler echocardiography were performed in 42 cirrhotic patients with (group A, ascitic) or without ascites (group NA, non-ascitic) and in a control group of 36 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: There were significant differences (P < 0.05 at ANOVA) between the three groups in portal vein flow velocity (controls, groups NA and A, respectively, 29.2, 21.4 and 20.0 cm/s), portal diameter (9.3, 12.2 and 12.0 mm), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) resistance index (RI) (0.889, 0.854 and 0.816), femoral artery RI (0.988, 0.974 and 0.945), mean arterial pressure (MAP) (101.4, 102.0 and 87.3 mmHg), peripheral vascular resistance (1579, 1404 and 1094 dyn/cm5/s) and cardiac index (CI) (2.91, 3.46 and 3.77 l/min/m2). Multiple regression analysis identified renal interlobular- and SMA RI (respectively, r = -0.58 and r = 0.51) in group A as the two regional vascular beds correlated to MAP. CONCLUSION: The deterioration of the cirrhotic hyperdynamic circulation in the presence of ascites and the correlation between MAP and mesenteric and renal resistances are consistent with the peripheral arterial vasodilation hypothesis. The positive correlation between MAP and SMA RI in ascitic patients shows a link between this region and the general circulation. This seems to suggest that splanchnic hyperafflux plays a part in the formation of ascites.     

Sexual Harassment Under Social Identity Threat: The Computer Harassment Paradigm.

Two laboratory experiments investigated the hypothesis that threat to male identity would increase the likelihood of gender harassment. In both experiments, using the computer harassment paradigm, male university students (N=80 in Experiment 1, N=90 in Experiment 2) were exposed to different types of identity threat (legitimacy threat and threat to group value in Experiment 1 and distinctiveness threat and prototypicality threat in Experiment 2) or to no threat and were then given the opportunity to send pornographic material to a virtual female interaction partner. Results show that (a) participants harassed the female interaction partner more when they were exposed to a legitimacy, distinctiveness, or prototypicality threat than to no threat; (b) this was mainly true for highly identified males; and (c) harassment enhanced postexperimental gender identification. Results are interpreted as supporting a social identity account of gender harassment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anionic liposomes for small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) delivery to primary neuronal cells: Evaluation of alpha-synuclein knockdown efficacy

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) deposition in Lewy bodies (LB) is one of the main neuropathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD).LB accumulation is considered a causative factor of PD,which suggests that strategies aimed at reducing α-syn levels could be relevant for its treatment.In the present study,we developed novel nanocarriers suitable for systemic delivery of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) that were specifically designed to reduce neuronal α-syn by RNA interference.Anionic liposomes loaded with an siRNA-protamine complex for α-syn gene silencing and decorated with a rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG)-derived peptide as a targeting agent were prepared.The nanoparticles were characterized for their ability to load,protect,and deliver the functional siRNA to mouse primary hippocampal and cortical neurons as well as their efficiency to induce gene silencing in these cells.Moreover,the nanocarriers were evaluated for their stability in serum.The RVG-decorated liposomes displayed suitable characteristics for future in vivo applications and successfully induced α-syn gene silencing in primary neurons without altering cell viability.Collectively,our results indicate that RVG-decorated liposomes may be an ideal tool for further studies aimed at achieving efficient in vivo α-syn gene silencing in mouse models of PD.