Multicriteria inventory classification using a genetic algorithm

Cataloged from PDF version of article.One of the application areas of genetic algorithms is parameter optimization. This paper addresses the problem of optimizing a set of parameters that represent the weights of criteria, where the sum of all weights is 1. A chromosome represents the values of the weights, possibly along with some cut-off points. A new crossover operation, called continuous uniform crossover, is proposed, such that it produces valid chromosomes given that the parent chromosomes are valid. The new crossover technique is applied to the problem of multicriteria inventory classification. The results are compared with the classical inventory classification technique using the Analytical Hierarchy Process. @ 1998 Elsevier Science B.V

Ant colony optimization for the single model U-type assembly line balancing problem

Cataloged from PDF version of article.An assembly line is a production line in which units move continuously through a sequence of stations. The assembly line balancing problem is defined as the allocation of tasks to an ordered sequence of stations subject to precedence constraints with the objective of optimizing a performance measure. In this paper, we propose ant colony algorithms to solve the single-model U-type assembly line balancing problem. We conduct an extensive experimental study in which the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared against best known algorithms reported in the literature. The results indicate that the proposed algorithms display very competitive performance against them. & 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Primary psoas muscle abscess diagnosed and treated during pregnancy: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Primary psoas muscle abscess is rare and can be difficult to diagnose, particularly during pregnancy. CASE: To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary psoas muscle abscess diagnosed during pregnancy. Clinical investigation did not reveal any infection spreading from adjacent structures. Surgical drainage and simultaneous Cesarean delivery of the infant, combined with appropriate antibiotics, enabled a cure. CONCLUSION: The possibility of psoas muscle abscess should be taken into account when investigating lower back pain during pregnancy if conventional approaches are unsatisfactory

Accidental swallowing of partial denture: a case report

We describe a 42-year-old age woman who accidentally swallowed her lower denture, which was composed of eleven teeth. The daily descent of the denture was followed by plain abdominal radiography and physical examination. The image was localized at the left upper quadrant on admission day, but it stopped on its way at the right lower quadrant on day two and three. Since the patient's complaints increased we planned surgical removal of the denture. In this report, we had discussed the diagnosis, follow up and treatment options of swallowed partial denture with current literature review

Two exact formulations for disassembly line balancing problems with task precedence diagram construction using an AND/OR graph

In this paper, the disassembly line balancing problem, which involves determining a line design in which used products are completely disassembled to obtain useable components in a cost-effective manner, is studied. Because of the growing demand for a cleaner environment, this problem has become an important issue in reverse manufacturing. In this study, two exact formulations are developed that utilize an AND/OR Graph (AOG) as the main input to ensure the feasibility of the precedence relations among the tasks. It is also shown that traditional task precedence diagrams can be derived from the AOG of a given product structure. This procedure leads to considerably better solutions of the traditional assembly line balancing problems; it may alter the approach taken by previous researchers in this area

Homeostasis in C. elegans sleep is characterized by two behaviorally and genetically distinct mechanisms

Biological homeostasis invokes modulatory responses aimed at stabilizing internal conditions. Using tunable photo- and mechano-stimulation, we identified two distinct categories of homeostatic responses during the sleep-like state of Caenorhabditis elegans (lethargus). In the presence of weak or no stimuli, extended motion caused a subsequent extension of quiescence. The neuropeptide Y receptor homolog, NPR-1, and an inhibitory neuropeptide known to activate it, FLP-18, were required for this process. In the presence of strong stimuli, the correlations between motion and quiescence were disrupted for several minutes but homeostasis manifested as an overall elevation of the time spent in quiescence. This response to strong stimuli required the function of the DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor in neurons, but not that of NPR-1. Conversely, response to weak stimuli did not require the function of DAF-16/FOXO. These findings suggest that routine homeostatic stabilization of sleep may be distinct from homeostatic compensation following a strong disturbance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04380.00

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis before and after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer

Thiol groups are important anti-oxidants and essential molecules protecting organism against the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of our study is to evaluate thiol–disulphide homeostasis with a novel recent automated method in patients with localized prostate cancer (PC) before and six months after radical prostatectomy (RP). 18 patients with PC and 17 healthy control subjects were enrolled into the study. Blood samples were collected from the controls subjects and patients before and six months after RP. Thiol–disulphide homeostasis was determined using a recently developed novel method. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), albumin, total protein, total thiol, native thiol, disulphide and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured and compared between the groups. Native thiol, total thiol and TAS levels were significantly higher in the control group than the patients before RP (p <.001). There was a non-significant increase in the native thiol, total thiol and TAS levels in the patients six months after RP in comparison to the levels before RP (p values.3,.3 and.09, respectively). We found a significant negative correlation between PSA and thiol levels. Our study demonstrated that the decreased thiol and TAS levels weakened anti-oxidant defence mechanism in the patients with PC as indicated. Increased oxidative stress in prostate cancer patients may cause metabolic disturbance and have a role in the aetiopathogenesis of prostate cancer

Increased oxidative stress associated with the severity of the liver disease in various forms of hepatitis B virus infection

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress can be defined as an increase in oxidants and/or a decrease in antioxidant capacity. There is limited information about the oxidative status in subjects with hepatitis B virus infection. We aimed to evaluate the oxidative status in patients with various clinical forms of chronic hepatitis B infection. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with hepatitis B virus infection, in whom 33 with chronic hepatitis, 31 inactive carriers and 12 with cirrhosis, and 16 healthy subjects were enrolled. Total antioxidant response and total peroxide level measurement, and calculation of oxidative stress index were performed in all participants. RESULTS: Total antioxidant response was significantly lower in cirrhotics than inactive HbsAg carriers and controls (p = 0.008 and p = 0.008, respectively). Total peroxide level and oxidative stress index was significantly higher in cirrhotic (p < 0.001, both) and chronic hepatitis B subjects (p < 0.001, both) than inactive HbsAg carriers and controls. Total antioxidant response was comparable in chronic hepatitis B subjects, inactive HbsAg carriers and controls (both, p > 0.05/6). Total peroxide level and oxidative stress index were also comparable in inactive HBsAg carriers and controls (both, p > 0.05/6). Serum alanine amino transferase level was positively correlated with total peroxide level and oxidative stress index only in chronic hepatitis B subjects (p = 0.002, r = 0.519 and p = 0.008, r = 0.453, respectively). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress occurs secondarily to increased total lipid peroxidation and inadequate total antioxidant response and is related to severity of the disease and replication status of virus in hepatitis B infection