An algorithm for the strip packing problem using collision free region and exact fitting placement

The irregular shape packing problem is approached. The container has a fixed width and an open dimension to be minimized. The proposed algorithm constructively creates the solution using an ordered list of items and a placement heuristic. Simulated annealing is the adopted metaheuristic to solve the optimization problem. A two-level algorithm is used to minimize the open dimension of the container. To ensure feasible layouts, the concept of collision free region is used. A collision free region represents all possible translations for an item to be placed and may be degenerated. For a moving item, the proposed placement heuristic detects the presence of exact fits (when the item is fully constrained by its surroundings) and exact slides (when the item position is constrained in all but one direction). The relevance of these positions is analyzed and a new placement heuristic is proposed. Computational comparisons on benchmark problems show that the proposed algorithm generated highly competitive solutions. Moreover, our algorithm updated some best known results.     

The Impact of Deployment Length and Experience on the Well-Being of Male and Female Soldiers.

This study examined the effects of stressor duration (deployment length) and stressor novelty (no prior deployment experience) on the psychological health of male and female military personnel returning from a peacekeeping deployment. The sample consisted of men (n = 2,114) and women (n = 1,225) surveyed for symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress. The results confirmed the hypotheses. Longer deployments and 1st-time deployments were associated with an increase in distress scores. However, the relationship between deployment length and increased distress was found only for male soldiers. The findings demonstrate the importance of considering the impact of exposure to long-term occupational stressors and confirm, in part, previous research that has demonstrated a different stress response pattern for men and women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bladder malfunction, urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in children

A correlation between urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux and voiding disorders has increasingly been reported. Voiding dysfunction increases the incidence of recurrent urinary tract infection, induces and perpetuates vesicoureteral reflux, even after surgical antireflux treatment, and may result in permanent renal damage. The resolution of the primary cause with voiding normalization is essential to achieve good results in the treatment of secondary problems such as urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux. Thirty seven children with vesicoureteral reflux secondary to voiding disorders were diagnosed and treated between 1990 and 1995 (five years). Forty-nine ureters were studied. The subjects became symptomatic between 1 month and 13 years of age, with the occurrence of urinary tract infection. All children were neurologically and morphologically normal. Symptoms suggesting bladder instability were detected in 34 (91.9%) and dysfunctional sphincter obstruction in three (8.1%). These patients were all evaluated with a renal/bladder sonogram and voiding cystogram, complemented in 17 (45.9%) with urodynamic testing that confirmed clinical diagnosis. 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scans performed on 29 (78.4%) children revealed renal damage in 26 (89.6%). A treatment program of bladder retraining and bowel habit normalization was encouraged in every child, anti-cholinergic drugs were associated in 23 (62.2%), muscle-relaxant drugs in three (8.1%), phenoxybenzamine and intermittent catheterization were used in one child (2.7%). Urinary tract infection prophylaxis was instituted in 34 (91.9%) children. Urinary tract infection was completely resolved in 35 (94.6%) patients, and its frequency decreased in two (5.4%). Thirty-two children (86.5%) with vesicoureteral reflux were cured and four (10.8%) were improved. Evidence of voiding disfunction ceased in 22 (59.5%) cases and improved in 14 (37.8%) with a reduction in the frequency and intensity of complaints. Urgency syndrome and vesicoureteral reflux remained unchanged in one child (2.7%). These findings imply that detection and treatment of bladder/sphincter disfunction are essential in every child with the complex of recurrent urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux.     

LPS-induced TNF-alpha release from and apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes: obligatory role for CD14 in mediating the LPS response

The bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contributes to the cardiovascular collapse and death observed in patients with sepsis. Because LPS has such profound effects on cardiac performance, we speculate that direct effects of LPS could be demonstrated on cardiomyocytes in culture, and that these direct effects are mediated by the LPS receptor, CD14. Accordingly, in this study, we provide evidence for CD14-dependent cardiotoxic effects of LPS including the LPS-stimulated secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) from cardiomyocytes. TNF-alpha is an inflammatory cytokine which is known for its negative inotropic effects on cardiac performance, but has not until recently been shown to be produced by cardiac cells. In this study, LPS was found to stimulate strongly in a dose-dependent manner the secretion of TNF-alpha from cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes. Further, LPS-induced TNF-alpha secretion was blocked by an inhibitor of TNF-alpha processing, metallomatrix protease inhibitor (TAPI). Molecular and immunological evidence demonstrated the presence of LPS receptors (CD14) on cardiomyocytes. Attenuated TNF-alpha secretion following PI-PLC treatment confirmed the functional importance of CD14 for LPS-mediated myocardial effects. Importantly, LPS also triggered apoptosis in cultured cardiomyocytes as quantified by single-cell gel electrophoresis of nuclei exhibiting DNA fragmentation patterns characteristic of apoptosis (i.e. cardiac comets). Apoptotic cell death was blocked by pre-incubation with the soluble TNF-alpha receptor fragment (TNFRII:Fc), suggesting that LPS-induced apoptosis was TNF-alpha-dependent and probably involved an autocrine function for the TNF-alpha whose secretion was under LPS control. The results of this study suggest that the cardiodepressant effects of LPS are dependent on CD14 signaling and may not only be due to acute negative inotropic effects of TNF-alpha but also may be complicated by TNF-alpha-induced apoptotic cell death which effectively reduces the number of working myocardial cells.     

Dynamics of protein-protein docking: cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase revisited

The dynamics of the docking step in the electron transfer reaction between yeast cytochrome c peroxidase and iso-1-cytochrome c has been studied using the Brownian dynamics method. In particular we have calculated the bimolecular rate constant at which a specific complex, the xray crystalline complex, can form in solution by translational and rotational diffusion in a field of force. Complexation criteria have been assessed based on the simultaneous alignment of three atom-atom contacts, as well as alternative criteria. The proteins are able to align one or two contacts at remarkably high rates, in fact, at rates approaching the diffusion-controlled limit for two spheres reactive over their entire surfaces. Three contacts may align, and hence the specific complex may dock, at rates on the order of 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), which is quite representative of the experimental association rate constant for ET-competent complex(es). The formation of the specific complex is strongly influenced by the favorable electrostatic interaction between these proteins. It is striking that a specific protein-protein complex can form within one order of magnitude as fast as two spherical proteins can touch at any orientation. It remains plausible that the high ET tunneling rate in this system can take place through a single highly favorable specific complex using a single high efficiency pathway. Still the contribution from a nonspecific set of complexes is not ruled out, particularly considering the marginal reproduction of the ionic strength dependence in the formation of the xray complex.     

Adhesively Bonded and Translucent Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Sandwich Girders

An experimental program has been carried out to investigate the structural behavior of adhesively bonded glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich girders. The girders, conceivable for main spans up to 20 m, are composed of translucent double sandwich element webs and adhesively bonded pultruded shape flanges. The continuous adhesive connections between web and flanges are loaded in a highly favorable manner without peeling stresses. Despite the complex load-carrying and failure behavior of the girders, simple calculation models can be applied. The successful girder experiments allowed for the development of a material-adapted construction method for new GFRP bridges and buildings. The integration of architectural aspects such as transparency, translucency, lighting, and color, as well as building physical aspects for buildings such as thermal insulation, substantially increases the overall value of the proposed constructions. Together with the lower life-cycle costs, this further justifies these new materials’ higher initial costs as compared with traditional materials.     

The use of urea carbon 14 in breath tests as diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infections

The Helicobacter Pylori has been indicated as a pathologic agent in the pathogenesis of antral gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers and probably in gastric cancer. Due to the high incidence of this infection in our place, we decided to look for a diagnostic method quick to perform, sensitive, reliable and no invasive. The breath test of 14C urea, based in the production of urea by the H. Pylori, represents this alternative. We have found, using does of 1 microCi, a high correlation with the diagnosis of H. Pylori by biopsies. We determined as negative less than 100 DPM, doubtful between 100 and 200 DPM and positive more than 200 DPM. The high pick of the curve keeps tight relation with the degree of infection. We checked this when we suppressed the H. Pylori with bismuth subsalicylate. The breath 14C Urea test showed high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (85.71%). We conclude that this breath test is an alternative way of diagnosing and follow up for H. Pylori infections. It is highly sensitive, reproducible and no invasive.     

Japanese encephalitis on Saipan: a survey of suspected mosquito vectors

An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) occurred on Saipan, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, in October 1990. Adult and larval mosquitoes were collected during September-October 1991 to retrospectively determine the probable mosquito vector(s). Virus was not isolated from 119 mosquito pools composed of 7,250 adult specimens as follows: Aedes vexans nocturnis (14%), Culex tritaeniorhynchus (39%), Cx. sitiens group (11%), Culex (Culex) species (35%), and < 1% each of Ae. albopictus, Ae. oakleyi, Aedes saipanensis, Cx. annulirostris marianae, and Cx. fuscanus. Three additional species were collected only as larvae: Anopheles indefinitus, Ae. neopandani, and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Among the vectors of JE incriminated in other areas, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was the predominant species in our collections and the principal species feeding on swine. This is the first published record of the occurrence of this species on Saipan. Culex tritaeniorhynchus is abundant and widely distributed on the southern half of Saipan where human JE cases occurred in 1990, and where swine seroconversions were detected. Although the identity of the mosquito vector(s) responsible for the 1990 outbreak cannot be established with certainty, our results suggest that Cx. tritaeniorhychus was probably involved.