The single row layout problem with clearances

The single row layout problem (SRLP) is a specially structured instance of the classical facility layout problem, especially used in flexible manufacturing systems. The SRLP consists of finding the most efficient arrangement of a given number of machines along one side of the material handling path with the purpose of minimising the total weighted sum of distances among all machine pairs. To reflect real manufacturing situations, a minimum space (so-called clearances) between machines may be required by observing technological constraints, safety considerations and regulations. This thesis intends to outline the different concepts of clearances used in literature and analyse their effects on modelling and solution approaches for the SRLP. In particular the special characteristics of sequence-dependent, asymmetric clearances are discussed and finally extended to large size clearances (machine-spanning clearances). For this, adjusted and novel model formulations and solution approaches are presented. Furthermore, a comprehensive survey of articles published in this research area since 2000 is provided which identify recent developments and emerging trends in SRLP

Estudo comparativo dos níveis de cortisol salivar e estresse em atletas de luta olímpica de alto rendimento

Orientador : Ricardo Weigert CoelhoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física. Defesa: Curitiba, 2006Inclui bibliografiaÁrea de concentração: Exercício e esport

Perfil de qualidade de vida, estresse e algias nos trabalhadores noturnos e diurnos

Orientadora: Neiva LeiteMonografia (licenciatura) - Universidade Federal do Paraná. Setor de Ciências Biológicas. Curso de Educação Físic

Social acknowledgement as a predictor of post-traumatic stress and complicated grief after witnessing assisted suicide

Background: In Switzerland, right-to-die organizations such as Exit Deutsche Schweiz offer suicide assistance to their members. However, there is limited knowledge of the impact that witnessing assisted suicide has on the post- traumatic stress severity or the grief process of family members. Low perceived social acknowledgement may affect mental health. Methods: A cross- sectional survey of 85 family members who were present at an assisted suicide was conducted in December 2007. The Inventory of Complicated Grief and the Impact of Event Scale were used to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief (CG) at 14 to 24 months post-loss. Further, the Social Acknowledgement Questionnaire was used to examine the impact that the social environment’s acknowledgement of the end-of-life decision had on respondents’ mental health. Results: As expected, social acknowledgement as a survivor was related to PTSD symptoms and CG. In particular, perceived general disapproval was strongly correlated with all outcome measures, whereas recognition was not significantly related to PTSD or CG (intrusion and avoidance). Conclusion: Family members of patients who use assisted suicide may hesitate to disclose the manner of death, and the community and societal environment may express strong views concerning the end-of-life decision. This can lead to increased levels of PTSD and CG

Diagnostic value of blood inflammatory markers for detection of acute appendicitis in children

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common surgical problem that is associated with an acute-phase reaction. Previous studies have shown that cytokines and acute-phase proteins are activated and may serve as indicators for the severity of appendicitis. The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic value of different serum inflammatory markers in detection of phlegmonous or perforated appendicitis in children. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 211 consecutive children. Laparotomy was performed for suspected AA for 189 patients. Patients were subdivided into groups: nonsurgical abdominal pain, early appendicitis, phlegmonous or gangrenous appendicitis, perforated appendicitis. White blood cell count (WBC), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), acid α(1)-glycoprotein (α(1)GP), endotoxin, and erythrocyte sedimentation reaction (ESR) were estimated ad the time of admission. The diagnostic performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: WBC count, CRP and IL-6 correlated significantly with the severity of appendiceal inflammation. Identification of children with severe appendicitis was supported by IL-6 or CRP but not WBC. Between IL-6 and CRP, there were no significant differences in diagnostic use. CONCLUSION: Laboratory results should be considered to be integrated within the clinical assessment. If used critically, CRP and IL-6 equally provide surgeons with complementary information in discerning the necessity for urgent operation

Structure and localization of mRNA encoding a pigment dispersing hormone (PDH) in the eyestalk of the crayfish Orconectes limosus

AbstractThe pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH) is produced in the eyestalks of Crustacea where it induces light-adapting movements of pigment in the compound eye and regulates the pigment dispersion in the chromatophores. To study this hormone at the mRNA level, we cloned and sequenced cDNA encoding PDH in the crayfish Orconectes limosus. The structure of the PDH preprohormone consists of a signal peptide, a PDH precursor-related peptide (PPRP) and the highly conserved PDH peptide at the carboxy-terminal end. In situ hybridization in combination with immunocytochemistry revealed four cell clusters expressing PDH in the optic ganglia of the eyestalk. Three clusters stained both with the PDH cRNA probe and the PDH antiserum, however, the perikarya in the lamina ganglionaris (LG) only stained with the PDH antiserum, suggesting the presence of a PDH-like peptide in the LG

RELAÇÃO ENTRE A AUTO-ESTIMA, O NÍVEL TÉCNICO, O TEMPO DE PRÁTICA E O RESULTADO DA COMPETIÇÃO DE ATLETAS DE VOLEIBOL FEMININO

A preparação psicológica tem grande importância na performance do atleta e deve fazer parte do treinamento. A auto-estima é um dos fatores que pode influenciar a performance dos atletas. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a relação da auto-estima com o nível técnico, o tempo de prática e o resultado da competição de atletas de voleibol feminino da categoria mirim. A amostra foi constituída de 48 atletas, do sexo feminino, com idade de 11 à 13 anos, participantes da X International Cup 2003. Para coleta de dados foram utilizados: um teste diagnóstico, aplicado aos técnicos para analisara as atletas quanto ao nível técnico e auto-estima; e um inventário, aplicada às atletas para analisar a auto-estima. Para análise dos dados foi feita a correlação de Sperman Rho, fixando um nível de significância para alfa em 0,05. Para o tratamento dos dados foi utilizado o programa Statistica 5.5. Verificou-se que a auto-estima apresentou, embora em valores baixos, uma correlação com o resultado da competição, o nível técnico e a auto-estima percebida pelo técnico, com uma diferença estatística significativa. Em relação ao tempo de prática não apresentou diferença significativa. Conclui-se neste estudo que a auto-estima pode ser um dos fatores que influencia no resultado da competição e no nível técnico das atletas. Sugere-se outros estudos sobre o tema, com diferentes populações e variáveis. Abstract The Psychological preparation has a big importance in the performance and has to be part of the training process. Self-esteem is one of the factors that can influence the performance of athletes. This study has as objective to verify the relation between self-esteem, technical level, time of practice and the results in the competition of female volleyball mirim athletes. The sample were composed of 48 athletes, female, with age of 11 to 13 years, that were in the X International Cup - 2003. To collect data, were used: a diagnostic test, to the coaches to analyze the athletes in technical level and self-esteem; and an Inventory to the athletes to selfesteem. The statistic used was, Spearman Ho correlation, in a level of 0,05 to alpha, the program used was Statistica 5.5. Verified that self-esteem presented, in low scores, a correlation with the results of the competition, the technical level and the percept self-esteem, with significant statistic level. In the correlation with time of practice the was not significance. The conclusion of this study, is that self-esteem can be one of the factors that has an influence in the results of the competition and in technical level of the athletes. It suggests others studies about this theme, with different population and variables

Concentric and eccentric endurance exercise reverse hallmarks of T-Cell senescence in pre-diabetic subjects

The peripheral T-cell pool undergoes a striking age associated remodeling which is accelerated by progressive insulin resistance. Exercise training is known to delay several aspects of T-cell senescence. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of 3 weeks regular concentric or eccentric endurance exercise training on the composition of the T-cell compartment in pre-diabetic subjects. Sixteen male older adults with impaired glucose tolerance were recruited and performed either concentric exercise (CE) or eccentric exercise (EE) walking 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Fasting venous blood sampling was performed before training and after the training intervention. Various T-cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. We did not find significant time × group effects (interaction) but found several significant time effects for cell type ratios and cell subsets proportions. There was an increase of the CD4+/CD8+ (0.55 ± 0.85%; p = 0.033) and CD4+/CD3+ ratio (5.63 ± 8.44%; p = 0.018) and a decrease of the CD8+/CD3+ ratio (-0.95 ± 1.64%; p = 0.049) after training. We found proportional increases of CD4+/CCR7+/CD45RO+ central memory cells (5.02 ± 7.68%; p = 0.030), naïve CD8+/CCR7+/CD45RO- (3.00 ± 6.68%; p = 0.047) and CD8+/CCR7+/CD45RO+ central memory cells (3.01 ± 3.70%; p = 0.009), while proportions of CD4+/CCR7-/CD45RO- TEMRA cells (-2.17 ± 4.66%; p = 0.012), CD8+/CCR7-/CD45RO- TEMRA cells (-5.11 ± 7.02%; p = 0.018) and CD16+ cells (-4.67 ± 6.45%; p = 0.016) decreased after training. 3 weeks of either CE or EE were effective in reversing hallmarks of T-cell senescence in pre-diabetic subjects. It is suggested that exercise stimulates production and mobilization of naïve T-cells, while differentiated TEMRA cells might disappear by apoptosis

Mindfulness predicts less depression, anxiety, and social impairment in emergency care personnel: A longitudinal study

Medical personnel working in emergency rooms (ER) are at increased risk of mental health problems and suicidality. There is increasing evidence that mindfulness-based interventions can improve burnout and other mental health outcomes in health care providers. In contrast, few longitudinal prospective studies have examined protective functions of dispositional mindfulness in this population. The objective of this study was to examine whether mindfulness prospectively predicts anxiety, depression, and social impairment in a sample of emergency care professionals. The authors administered online surveys to ER personnel prior to work in ER, and at 3 and 6 months follow up. Participants were 190 ER personnel (73% residents, 16% medical students, 11% nurses). Linear mixed effects regression was used to model longitudinal 3-month and 6-month follow up of depression, anxiety, and social impairment. Predictors included time-varying contemporaneous work stressors, perceived social support at work and life events, and baseline dispositional mindfulness, demographics, and workplace characteristics. Mindfulness indexed when starting ER work predicted less depression, anxiety, and social impairment 6 months later. Mindfulness remained a strong predictor of mental health outcomes after controlling for time-varying stressful events in emergency care, negative life events, and social support at work. Mindfulness moderated the adverse impact of poor social support at work on depression. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to show that mindfulness prospectively and robustly predicts anxiety, depression, and social impairment. Results support the role of mindfulness as a potential resilience factor in at-risk health care providers