The Multimode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem for Repetitive Activities in Construction Projects

[EN] In construction projects, resource availability might limit the implementation of ideal schedules. Especially, when repetitive activities are involved, traditional resource¿constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) models fail to allocate the resource consumption in an efficient manner. Besides, actual models only provide local optimal solutions and do not incorporate activity acceleration routines. To fulfill this gap, partially, a mathematical optimization model, the multimode RCPSP for repetitive activities in construction projects, is proposed and solved to optimality; it takes into account acceleration routines under real construction scenarios using spreadsheets. The article shows a complete computational experimentation over a real construction project, considering several scenarios of resource availabilities and continuity conditions. The model allows analyzing the resources efficiency indexes comparing them to resource consumptions, continuity of activities, and objective functions that reveal that fragmented activities do not provide better resource efficiency outcomes.This research was partially supported by the FAPA program of Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia (code P14.246922.005/01). The authors would also like to thank the research group of Construction Engineering and Management (INgeco) at Universidad de los Andes.García-Nieves, J.; Ponz-Tienda, JL.; Salcedo-Bernal, A.; Pellicer Armiñana, E. (2018). The Multimode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem for Repetitive Activities in Construction Projects. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. 33(8):655-671. https://doi.org/10.1111/mice.12356S65567133

Two Trebouxia algae with different physiological performances are ever-present in lichen thalli of Ramalina farinacea. Coexistence versus Competition

Ramalina farinacea is an epiphytic fruticose lichen that is relatively abundant in areas with Mediterranean, subtropical or temperate climates. Little is known about photobiont diversity in different lichen populations. The present study examines the phycobiont composition of several geographically distant populations of R. farinacea from the Iberian Peninsula, Canary Islands and California as well as the physiological performance of isolated phycobionts. Based on anatomical observations and molecular analyses, the coexistence of two different taxa of Trebouxia (working names, TR1 and TR9) was determined within each thallus of R. farinacea in all of the analysed populations. Examination of the effects of temperature and light on growth and photosynthesis indicated a superior performance of TR9 under relatively high temperatures and irradiances while TR1 thrived at moderate temperature and irradiance. Ramalina farinacea thalli apparently represent a specific and selective form of symbiotic association involving the same two Trebouxia phycobionts. Strict preservation of this pattern of algal coexistence is likely favoured by the different and probably complementary ecophysiological responses of each phycobiont, thus facilitating the proliferation of this lichen in a wide range of habitats and geographic areas. © 2010 Society for Applied Microbiology and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (CGL2006-12917-C02-01/02), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CGL2009-13429-C02-01/02), the AECID (PCI_A/024755/09) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO 174/2008 GVA). We are grateful to Dr J. Gimeno-Romeu (University of California, Davis, USA) and to Dr P. J. G. de Nova (IREC, Ciudad Real, Spain), who were the first to isolate DNA from Ramalina farinacea thalli in our group. Wendy Ran revised the manuscript in English.Casano, L.; Del Campo, E.; García Breijo, FJ.; Reig Armiñana, J.; Gasulla, F.; Del Hoyo, A.; Guéra, A.... (2011). Two Trebouxia algae with different physiological performances are ever-present in lichen thalli of Ramalina farinacea. Coexistence versus Competition. Environmental Microbiology. 13(3):806-818. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2010.02386.xS806818133Angert, A. L., Huxman, T. E., Chesson, P., & Venable, D. L. (2009). Functional tradeoffs determine species coexistence via the storage effect. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(28), 11641-11645. doi:10.1073/pnas.0904512106Baker, N. R., & Oxborough, K. (s. f.). Chlorophyll Fluorescence as a Probe of Photosynthetic Productivity. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, 65-82. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-3218-9_3Barreno , E. Herrera-Campos , M. García-Breijo , F. Gasulla , F. 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Baseline data of four insecticides with different modes of action for Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

La mosca de la fruta del Mediterráneo, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), y la mosca sudamericana de los frutos, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) son plagas de gran importancia económica en Argentina y el mundo. Una de las formas de control es el uso de insecticidas en pulverizaciones totales o en cebos. El uso reiterado de un determinado producto ejerce una fuerte presión de selección, pudiendo ocasionar la aparición de resistencia. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el dato de nivel básico de cuatro insecticidas con diferentes mecanismos de acción mediante bioensayos en laboratorio. Los productos utilizados fueron formulaciones comerciales de ciantraniliprol, clorpirifos, lambdacialotrina y spinosad. La concentración letal media se estimó mediante un análisis de la curva dosis-respuesta. Para ciantraniliprol y clorpirifós los machos y las hembras de ambas especies fueron igualmente susceptibles. Para lambdacialotrina se detectaron diferencias entre las dos especies; la CL50 de A. fraterculus (0,058 y 0,074 para machos y hembras respectivamente) fue menor que la de C. capitata (0,523 y 0,624 para machos y hembras respectivamente). Para spinosad, los machos de A. fraterculus fueron igualmente susceptibles que los machos y las hembras de C. capitata. Estos resultados generan valores de referencia para Argentina y evidencian la necesidad de completar este tipo de estudios con evaluaciones de poblaciones naturales sobre las cuales se ejerce control químico así como con ensayos en campo y semi-campo. Asimismo muestran la necesidad de completar este tipo de estudios con evaluaciones de los niveles de ingesta en las distintas concentraciones.The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) are pests of major economic importance in Argentina and worldwide. One way to control them is the use of insecticide in sprays or baits. The repeated use of a particular product exerts a strong selection pressure and can lead to development of resistance. The aim of this study was to determine baseline data of four insecticides with different mechanisms of action through laboratory bioassays. The products used were commercial formulations of cyantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos, lambdacyalothrin and spinosad. The mean lethal concentration was estimated by a dose-response curve analysis. Cyantraniliprole and chlorpyrifos were equally susceptible for males and females of both species. For lambdacyalothrin differences between the two species were detected; LC50 of A. fraterculus (0.058 and 0.074 for males and females respectively) was lower than that of C. capitata (0.523 and 0.624 for males and females respectively). For spinosad, A. fraterculus males were equally susceptible than males and females of C. capitata. These results generate reference values for Argentina and demonstrate the need to complete these studies with field evaluations of natural populations on which chemical control is exercised as well as with field and semi-field trials. It also shows the need to complete these studies in which the intake at different concentrations is measured.Fil: Paez Jerez, P. G.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia. Cátedra. Terapéutica Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Carrizo, B. N.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucumán-Santiago del Estero. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Musse, R.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia. Cátedra. Terapéutica Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Varela, E.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia. Cátedra. Terapéutica Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Armiñana, A.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia. Cátedra. Terapéutica Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Milla, F.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Maria Teresa. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia. Cátedra. Terapéutica Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de la Vega, M. H.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia. Cátedra. Terapéutica Vegetal; Argentin

Una mejora en la planificación de la construcción: el sistema del último planificador

[EN] For approximately five years, the Last Planner System ® has been used more and more in Spain, due to the improvement that its use produces in the productivity of the construction, reaching, with its use, better results in the achievement of the objectives of: Cost, time and quality of the projects. But still it is necessary its knowledge and diffusion so the application of this System will be normal in all our works. It was Professors Glenn Ballard and Greg Howell of the University of Berkeley in California, United States, who in the early 90s of the last Century investigated a form of planning of the work that, within the Lean Construction philosophy, were more appropriate with the special characteristics of the construction process. Lean Construction contributes with numerous associate techniques to improve the constructive process, and one of them is Last Planner System ®. In this paper we will do a quick revision of the state of art related with Planification Methodologies which have been used in construction during last and present centuries, to conclude that Last Planner System ® represents a considerable improvement in relation with previous Systems. It is an opinion and reveal paper to promote the knowledge and use of this System in Spanish Construction with greatest interest.[ES] Desde hace aproximadamente cinco años, se está utilizando cada vez más en España el Sistema del Último Planificador (Last Planner System ®), debido a la mejora que su utilización produce en la productividad de la construcción, alcanzándose, con su uso, mejores resultados en la consecución de los objetivos de: Coste, plazo y calidad de los proyectos. Pero aún es necesario su conocimiento y difusión para que la aplicación de este Sistema se extienda a todas nuestras obras. Fueron los Profesores Glenn Ballard y Greg Howell de la Universidad de Berkeley en California, Estados Unidos, quienes a principios de los años 90 del pasado Siglo investigaron sobre una forma de planificación de obra que, dentro de la filosofía Lean Construction, fuera más acorde con las especiales características del proceso constructivo. La Construcción sin Pérdidas (Lean Construction) aporta numerosas técnicas asociadas para mejorar el proceso constructivo, y una de ellas es el Sistema del Último Planificador. En este artículo haremos una rápida revisión del estado del arte en cuanto a Métodos de Planificación que se han usado en construcción en el pasado Siglo y en el presente, para concluir que el Sistema del Último Planificador representa una mejora considerable con respecto a los anteriores Sistemas. Se trata de un artículo de opinión y divulgación para fomentar el conocimiento y uso de este Sistema en la construcción española con mayor intensidad.Álvarez-Pérez, MA.; Soler-Severino, M.; Pellicer, E. (2019). An improvement in construction planning: Last Planner System. Building & Management. 3(2):60-70. https://doi.org/10.20868/bma.2019.2.3924S60703

An Iterative Approach for the Optimization of Pavement Maintenance Management at the Network Level

Pavement maintenance is one of the major issues of public agencies. Insufficient investment or inefficient maintenance strategies lead to high economic expenses in the long term. Under budgetary restrictions, the optimal allocation of resources becomes a crucial aspect. Two traditional approaches (sequential and holistic) and four classes of optimization methods (selection based on ranking, mathematical optimization, near optimization, and other methods) have been applied to solve this problem. They vary in the number of alternatives considered and how the selection process is performed.Therefore, a previous understanding of the problem is mandatory to identify the most suitable approach and method for a particular network. This study aims to assist highway agencies, researchers, and practitioners onwhen and howto apply availablemethods based on a comparative analysis of the current state of the practice. Holistic approach tackles the problem considering the overall network condition, while the sequential approach is easier to implement and understand, but may lead to solutions far from optimal. Scenarios defining the suitability of these approaches are defined. Finally, an iterative approach gathering the advantages of traditional approaches is proposed and applied in a case study. The proposed approach considers the overall network condition in a simpler and more intuitive manner than the holistic approach.The authors gratefully acknowledge members of the research group at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile for their contributions and resources during the study. The research team acknowledges Conicyt-Fondef/Decimoseptimo Concurso de Proyectos de Investigacion y Desarrollo del Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Cientifico y Tecnologico, Fondef/Conicyt 2009 (D09I1018) for funding this project. Support of the associated institutions is also appreciated: Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (Ministerio de Vivienda y Urbanismo), Regional Government for Metropolitan Region (Gobierno Regional de la Region Metropolitana), Municipality of Santiago (Municipalidad de Santiago), and Municipality of Macul (Municipalidad de Macul). Funding over Santander Universidades (Becas Iberoamerica Jovenes Profesionales e Investigadores, 2013) to support this work is sincerely appreciated.Torres Machí, C.; Chamorro, A.; Videla, C.; Pellicer Armiñana, E.; Yepes, V. (2014). An Iterative Approach for the Optimization of Pavement Maintenance Management at the Network Level. Scientific World Journal. 2014(4329):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/524329S11120144329Qin, J., Ni, L., & Shi, F. (2013). Mixed Transportation Network Design under a Sustainable Development Perspective. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2013/549735Chamorro, A., & Tighe, S. L. (2009). Development of a Management Framework for Rural Roads in Developing Countries. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2093(1), 99-107. doi:10.3141/2093-12Golroo, A., & L. Tighe, S. (2012). Optimum Genetic Algorithm Structure Selection in Pavement Management. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 5(6), 327-341. doi:10.3923/ajaps.2012.327.341Hsueh, S.-L., & Yan, M.-R. (2013). A Multimethodology Contractor Assessment Model for Facilitating Green Innovation: The View of Energy and Environmental Protection. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, 1-14. doi:10.1155/2013/624340Jiao, Y., Liu, H., Zhang, P., Wang, X., & Wei, H. (2013). Unsupervised Performance Evaluation Strategy for Bridge Superstructure Based on Fuzzy Clustering and Field Data. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, 1-6. doi:10.1155/2013/427072Shah, Y. U., Jain, S. S., & Parida, M. (2012). Evaluation of prioritization methods for effective pavement maintenance of urban roads. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 15(3), 238-250. doi:10.1080/10298436.2012.657798De la Garza, J. M., Akyildiz, S., Bish, D. R., & Krueger, D. A. (2011). Network-level optimization of pavement maintenance renewal strategies. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 25(4), 699-712. doi:10.1016/j.aei.2011.08.002Gao, L., Xie, C., Zhang, Z., & Waller, S. T. (2011). Network-Level Road Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Scheduling for Optimal Performance Improvement and Budget Utilization. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 27(4), 278-287. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8667.2011.00733.xAmador-Jiménez, L. E., & Mrawira, D. (2009). Roads Performance Modeling and Management System from Two Condition Data Points: Case Study of Costa Rica. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 135(12), 999-1007. doi:10.1061/(asce)te.1943-5436.0000074Gao, L., & Zhang, Z. (2008). Robust Optimization for Managing Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2084(1), 55-61. doi:10.3141/2084-07Ng, M., Zhang, Z., & Travis Waller, S. (2011). The price of uncertainty in pavement infrastructure management planning: An integer programming approach. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 19(6), 1326-1338. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2011.03.003Ferreira, A., Antunes, A., & Picado-Santos, L. (2002). Probabilistic Segment-linked Pavement Management Optimization Model. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 128(6), 568-577. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2002)128:6(568)Yoo, J., & Garcia-Diaz, A. (2008). Cost-effective selection and multi-period scheduling of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. Engineering Optimization, 40(3), 205-222. doi:10.1080/03052150701686937Farhan, J., & Fwa, T. F. (2012). Incorporating Priority Preferences into Pavement Maintenance Programming. 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Morphology, anatomy and germination response of heteromorphic achenes of Anthemis chrysantha J. Gay (Asteraceae), a critically endangered species

[EN] This study demonstrates that Anthemis chrysantha, a 'Critically Endangered' annual plant, produces two morphs of achenes: white and dark achenes, which differ in size, mass, anatomy and germination behaviour. Fresh white achenes germinated at all temperatures assayed from 10 to 25 degrees C in both continuous darkness and 12-h photoperiod, ranging between 24% at 25 degrees C in darkness and 89% at 12/20 degrees C in light, whereas fresh dark achenes did not germinate under any temperature or light conditions. To identify differences in dormancy type between the two morphs, germination of dry-stored achenes, and achenes stratified at 5 or 25 degrees C for 2 months were tested in both darkness and light at 5, 15 and 12/20 degrees C for dry-stored and warm-stratified (25 degrees C) achenes; and at 15, 25 and 12/20 degrees C for cold-stratified (5 degrees C) achenes. Of the white achenes, 90% germinated during the cold stratification period. In general, dry storage and warm stratification did not increase germination compared to fresh achenes. However, dark achenes did not germinate under any conditions. Dark achene dormancy was only broken by mechanical scarification or by excising the embryo (germination reached 71%). An anatomical study showed that the mesocarp of dark achenes had no intercellular spaces and was much thicker and stronger than that of white achenes, making the entry of water difficult, and also preventing germination by mechanical restriction. This study demonstrated that dormancy in the dark achenes is likely caused by the thickness of their pericarp, physically impeding germination and hampering imbibition of water.This work was financed by the Consejeria de Agricultura y Agua de la Comunidad Autonoma de la Region de Murcia and the Fundacion Seneca de la Region de Murcia (Project 1186/PI/09).Aguado, M.; Martinez-Sanchez, JJ.; Reig Armiñana, J.; García Breijo, FJ.; Franco, JA.; Vicente, MJ. (2011). Morphology, anatomy and germination response of heteromorphic achenes of Anthemis chrysantha J. Gay (Asteraceae), a critically endangered species. Seed Science Research. 21(4):283-294. doi:10.1017/S0960258511000183S28329421

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Molecular and Morphological Diversity of Trebouxia Microalgae in Sphaerothalliod Circinaria spp. Lichens

[EN] Three vagrant (Circinaria hispida, Circinaria gyrosa, Circinaria sp. `paramerae¿) and one crustose (semi-vagrant, Circinaria sp.`oromediterranea¿) growing in very continental areas in the Iberian Peninsula were selected to study the phycobiont diversity. Mycobiont identification was checked using nrITS DNA barcoding: Circinaria sp.`oromediterranea¿ and Circinaria sp. `paramerae¿ formed a new clade. Phycobiont diversity was analyzed in 50 thalli of Circinaria spp. using nrITS DNA and LSU rDNA, with microalgae coexistence being found in all the species analyzed by Sanger sequencing. The survey of phycobiont diversity showed up to four different Trebouxia spp. as the primary phycobiont in 20 thalli of C. hispida, in comparison with the remaining Circinaria spp. where only one Trebouxia was the primary microalga. In lichen species showing coexistence, some complementary approaches are needed (454 pyrosequencing and/or ultrastructural analyses). Five specimens were selected for HTS analyses: 22 Trebouxia OTUs were detected, ten of them not previously known. TEM analyses showed three different cell morphotypes (Trebouxia sp. OTU A12, OTU S51 and T. cretacea) whose ultrastructure is described here in detail for the first time, HTS revealed a different microalgae pool in each species studied, and we cannot assume a specific pattern between these pools and the ecological and/or morphological characteristics. The mechanisms involved in the selection of the primary phycobiont and the other microalgae by the mycobiont are unknown, and require complex experimental designs. The systematics of the genus Circinaria is not yet well resolved, and more analyses are needed to establish a precise delimitation of the species.Supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO and FEDER, Spain; CGL2016-79158-P), Excellence in Research (Generalitat Valenciana, Spain; PROMETEO/2017/039). We want to thank the technicians (Ma Teresa Minguez and Nuria Cebrian) from the Servicio de Microscopia Electronica, SCSIE, and Jardi Botanic (Universitat de Valencia) who helped us to perform the TEM process, and Santiago Catala for the pyrosequencing analyses. Daniel Sheerin revised the English manuscript.Molins, A.; Moya, P.; García-Breijo, F.; Reig-Armiñana, J.; Barreno, E. (2018). Molecular and Morphological Diversity of Trebouxia Microalgae in Sphaerothalliod Circinaria spp. Lichens. Journal of Phycology. 54(4):494-504. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.12751S49450454