Automatic provisioning of QoS aware OSPF configurations

This paper presents a contribution for the development of network management tools able to automatically provide QoS aware routing configurations. In this perspective, a traffic engineering framework able to provide near-optimal OSPF configurations is presented. The devised solution takes into account the multiconstrained QoS demands of a given network domain in order to improve the quality of the OSPF weight setting process. To pursue this objective, this work resorts to Evolutionary Algorithms, which provide OSPF configurations based on a bi-objective function. The proof of concept of the proposed optimization framework resorts to a wide range of simulation studies, clearly showing the effectiveness of the devised mechanisms.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Project SeARCH (Services and Advanced Research Computing with HTC/HPC clusters).Nuffield Foundation - Grant NAL/001136/A.Portuguese National Conference of Rectors (CRUP)/British Council Portugal - Grant B-53/05 grant.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council - Grant EP/522885 grant

Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms for intradomain routing optimization

Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) have been used to develop methods for Traffic Engineering (TE) over IP-based networks in the last few years, being used to reach the best set of link weights in the configuration of intra-domain routing protocols, such as OSPF. In this work, the multiobjective nature of a class of optimization problems provided by TE with Quality of Service constraints is identified. Multiobjective EAs (MOEAs) are developed to tackle these tasks and their results are compared to previous approaches using single objective EAs. The effect of distinct genetic representations within the MOEAs is also explored. The results show that the MOEAs provide more flexible solutions for network management, but are in some cases unable to reach the level of quality obtained by single objective EAs. Furthermore, a freely available software application is described that allows the use of the mentioned optimization algorithms by network administrators, in an user-friendly way by providing adequate user interfaces for the main TE tasks.FCT - project ref. PTDC/EIA-EIA/115176/2009; grant UMINHO/BII/061/200

Postimplant intraperitoneal behavior of collagen-based meshes followed by laparoscopy

17 p.Background When repairing an abdominal wall defect, sometimes a prosthetic mesh needs to be placed directly on the parietal peritoneum. Although the standard mesh for this purpose is the laminar implant expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), it is gradually being replaced by the laminar collagen-based meshes. This study was designed to assess the intraperitoneal behavior of three of these biomeshes, mainly in terms of their susceptibility to adhesion formation. Methods Two 3-cm x 3-cm fragments of prosthetic material were placed on the parietal peritoneum in male New Zealand White rabbits in the following combinations: PTFE and CollaMend®, PTFE and Permacol®, or PTFE and Surgisis®. The meshes were fixed at the four corners with individual 4/0 polypropylene sutures. Adhesion formation was quantified by sequential laparoscopy and image analysis performed at 3, 7, 14, and 90 days postimplant. All animals were killed at 90 days and the mesh specimens were subjected to microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results Intensely vascularized adhesions to all the implants were observed, although Surgisis showed the lowest percentage of adhesions at each follow-up time. Adhesions had stabilized by 7-14 days. The PTFE meshes were enveloped by a layer of macrophages and connective tissue, bounded by a monolayer of mesothelial cells. Permacol and CollaMend showed similar histological behavior, including cell ingrowth through their fenestrations with no signs of degradation detected at 90 days. In contrast, the Surgisis mesh at 90 days was practically replaced with neoformed tissue. Conclusions No difference in susceptibility to adhesion formation was noted in the crosslinked collagen meshes compared to PTFE meshes. The noncrosslinked collagen mesh Surgisis showed the best behavior in that it induced fewer adhesions. Ninety days after implant, a more intense macrophage response was observed in CollaMend and Permacol than in PTFE or Surgisis.Fundación Mutua Madrileñ

Mustang Daily, February 27, 2006

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/studentnewspaper/7411/thumbnail.jp

Green Carbon: Making sustainable agriculture real

The concept of sustainable development has evolved from a mere movement for the protection of the environment, to other multidimensional approaches. Indeed, today it calls for a holistic approach, seeking to preserve and improve not only the environment, but also to achieve social equity and economic sustainability. In Europe, society demands quality and safe products, not only in the industrial sector but also in agriculture. According to FAO, sustainable agriculture development is a key element of the new global challenges to meet human food security needs at 2050. Unsustainable practices based on intensive soil tillage and agro-chemical applications have increased agri-environmental risks. Whereas world’s food needs are expected to increase by 70% by 2050, agricultural land in Europe will also have to face environmental, economic and social challenges related to sustainable agriculture. As a result, in the EU 2020 Strategy, it is expressed that the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is required to contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, enhancing social well-being, providing ecosystem services, managing resources sustainably while avoiding environmental degradation. There is broad consensus within the scientific sector that human actions generate a large portion of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, causing global warming. Certainly, Kyoto Protocol states it. According to the European Environmental Agency (EEA), there has been a decrease of 17% in GHG emissions between 1990 and 2009. However, EEA also stressed the importance of the agricultural contribution to total emissions (10.3%). The fossil fuel used in agricultural field operations, along with increasing CO2 emissions from soil through tillage, are considered to be one of the main direct sources of GHG emissions from agriculture sector. Increased inputs required to sustain conventional agriculture also adds significantly to total GHG emissions. Therefore, intensification of production through tillage, agro-chemicals and heavy machinery, which characterizes conventional agriculture in Europe, strongly contributes to increased net GHG emissions instead of mitigating global warming. Sustainable agricultural soil management is crucial for mitigating climate change, especially for the restoration of lost soil organic carbon. In fact, "Agricultural soils management" is recognized as one of the 15 most promising technology options for reducing GHG emissions in the COM (2005) 35 final "Winning the battle against global climate change." The Green Carbon Conference aims to show sustainable management of agricultural soils can help to agriculture mitigate and adapt to climate change, being compatible with the objectives of environmental protection, enhancing biodiversity and supporting farmers’ welfare along with many other environmental, economic and social benefits. Over the last decade, Conservation Agriculture has become known as a set of interlinked agricultural practices, of no or minimum mechanical soil disturbance, maintenance of soil mulch cover, and diversified cropping system, capable of: (a) overcoming several of the severe sustainability limitations of conventional agriculture; and (b) raising productivity, enhancing resilience, reducing degradation and increasing the flow of ecosystem services. The discussion around both the Soil Thematic Strategy initiated in 2002, and the JRC SoCo (Soil Conservation) project clearly recognized the potential of Conservation Agriculture in mitigating and even reversing the problems of soil erosion, soil organic matter decline, soil compaction, loss of biodiversity, climate change vulnerability, among others. Whereas Conservation Agriculture is now practiced successfully on more than 125 million hectares worldwide, Europe has shown to be reluctant with regard to its adoption, despite many promising results confirming its suitability in Europe. Therefore, this European Conference on Green Carbon provides an opportunity to take a leap forward in terms of sharing farmers experiences on Conservation Agriculture across Europe, reviewing the recent progress made in knowledge generation regarding Conservation Agriculture, and to disseminate the outcomes of the currently running LIFE+ Agricarbon (LIFE08 ENV/E/000129). The slogan of ‘Green Carbon’ chosen for this Conference attempts to clarify and highlight the indivisible yet vital link between soil organic carbon and the role that soil health plays in the sustainability of agricultural production and in the flow of ecosystem services. Nevertheless, the topics addressed by the Green Carbon Conference are not only related to the importance of soil organic carbon for the overall soil quality and health, but also include other sustainability issues intimately related to the role of soil carbon such as landscape scale ecosystem functions and services, climate change mitigation and carbon offset, and economic aspects. This Conference also seeks to alert and inform EU policy stakeholders and technical officers of the urgent need to adopt sustainable soil and production practices of Conservation Agriculture to contribute to the objectives of Europe 2020, the EU's growth strategy for the coming decades

Novel applications of biomaterials in the management of parastomal hernia and anal fistula

MD (res)The aim of this thesis was to explore novel applications for both traditional and contemporary biomaterials in the management of parastomal hernia and anal fistula. Parastomal hernias can be prevented or repaired using synthetic mesh; however, reported complications include infection, fibrosis and potential bowel erosion. The prophylactic role of a cross-linked collagen implant was assessed in terms of safety, feasibility and potential efficacy. Additionally, the human host response to this implant was evaluated. There were no complications related to infection or the implant‟s proximity to the bowel. The implant had excellent biocompatibility and resistance to degradation in most patients, and although fibrovascular in-growth and ECM deposition were limited, it seems to have excellent potential for soft tissue reinforcement and, more specifically, prevention of parastomal hernias. Anal fistulas are in the main successfully treated by surgical fistulotomy, however damage to the anal sphincter complex and subsequent incontinence have led to the development of other techniques which aim to either lessen or avoid such disturbance. One strategy involves the traditional cutting seton, and a modification of this technique, the „snug‟ silastic seton was assessed. In the short-medium term, this modification was demonstrated to be an effective addition to the fistula surgeon‟s armamentarium, although minor incontinence remained a concern. Other approaches employing contemporary biomaterials, fibrin glue and porcine intestinal submucosa, are aimed at tissue repair, rather than minimizing destruction. Their success rates however are highly variable. A pilot study aiming to assess the safety and potential efficacy of an 4 alternative biomaterial, cross-linked collagen in two different physical formats, was presented. In the short-medium term, both formats were shown to be safe, and equally effective. The results justify continued research into the use of biologically derived materials to heal anal fistulas. In conclusion, although disparate pathologies were addressed, both they and the thesis are unified by demonstrating that an understanding of the specific disease pathology, wound healing, and the host response to materials (synthetic and biological) are central to their successful management

A systematic methodological review of non-randomised interventional studies of elective ventral hernia repair: clear definitions and a standardised minimum dataset are needed

BACKGROUND: Ventral hernias (VHs) often recur after surgical repair and subsequent attempts at repair are especially challenging. Rigorous research to reduce recurrence is required but such studies must be well-designed and report representative and comprehensive outcomes. // OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assesses methodological quality of non-randomised interventional studies of VH repair by systematic review. // METHODS: We searched the indexed literature for non-randomised studies of interventions for VH repair, January 1995 to December 2017 inclusive. Each prospective study was coupled with a corresponding retrospective study using pre-specified criteria to provide matched, comparable groups. We applied a bespoke methodological tool for hernia trials by combining relevant items from existing published tools. Study introduction and rationale, design, participant inclusion criteria, reported outcomes, and statistical methods were assessed. // RESULTS: Fifty studies (17,608 patients) were identified: 25 prospective and 25 retrospective. Overall, prospective studies scored marginally higher than retrospective studies for methodological quality, median score 17 (IQR: 14-18) versus 15 (IQR 12-18), respectively. For the sub-categories investigated, prospective studies achieved higher median scores for their, 'introduction', 'study design' and 'participants'. Surprisingly, no study stated that a protocol had been written in advance. Only 18 (36%) studies defined a primary outcome, and only 2 studies (4%) described a power calculation. No study referenced a standardised definition for VH recurrence and detection methods for recurrence varied widely. Methodological quality did not improve with publication year or increasing journal impact factor. // CONCLUSION: Currently, non-randomised interventional studies of VH repair are methodologically poor. Clear outcome definitions and a standardised minimum dataset are needed