Optimal Time-dependent Sequenced Route Queries in Road Networks

In this paper we present an algorithm for optimal processing of time-dependent sequenced route queries in road networks, i.e., given a road network where the travel time over an edge is time-dependent and a given ordered list of categories of interest, we find the fastest route between an origin and destination that passes through a sequence of points of interest belonging to each of the specified categories of interest. For instance, considering a city road network at a given departure time, one can find the fastest route between one's work and his/her home, passing through a bank, a supermarket and a restaurant, in this order. The main contribution of our work is the consideration of the time dependency of the network, a realistic characteristic of urban road networks, which has not been considered previously when addressing the optimal sequenced route query. Our approach uses the A* search paradigm that is equipped with an admissible heuristic function, thus guaranteed to yield the optimal solution, along with a pruning scheme for further reducing the search space. In order to compare our proposal we extended a previously proposed solution aimed at non-time dependent sequenced route queries, enabling it to deal with the time-dependency. Our experiments using real and synthetic data sets have shown our proposed solution to be up to two orders of magnitude faster than the temporally extended previous solution.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures To be published as a short paper in the 23rd ACM SIGSPATIA

Improving the learning experience and learning environment of adults in Higher Education – Project LIHE: the Portuguese case

Project LIHE: the Portuguese Case. ESREA Fourth Access Network Conference – “Equity, Access and Participation: Research, Policy and Practice”. Edinburgh (Scotland), 11 – 13 December, 2003.The promotion of a knowledge-based society needs, on one hand, technological infrastructure and, on the other hand, a workforce with the necessary skills, knowledge and competences, supported by a well-structured initial education and by a continuous learning program. In the last years, Universities have opened their doors to all citizens, regardless of their status or origin, if they have the capacity to benefit from the educational services on offer. This strategy has allowed mature students to enter (or re-enter) the formal higher education system. Although these students may possess a richness of experience, they can also have difficulty in adapting to the pedagogical approaches of learning and teaching and their attitudes and problems are not necessarily the same as those of traditional students. It is in this context that the project LIHE – Learning in Higher Education emerges. In this paper, the background of the project and the most relevant literature for the subject are briefly described. It is followed by a presentation of the project aims, objectives and methodological approaches. The Portuguese case is introduced, together with the results of questionnaires and interviews. Some preliminary conclusions are outlined. Finally, avenues of future research are discusse

Effects of Misalignments in the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measurements with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose. To investigate misalignments (MAs) on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measurements obtained with Cirrus© SD-OCT. Methods. This was a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. Twenty-seven healthy and 29 glaucomatous eyes of 56 individuals with one normal exam and another showing MA were included. MAs were defined as an improper alignment of vertical vessels in the en face image. MAs were classified in complete MA (CMA) and partial MA (PMA), according to their site: 1 (superior, outside the measurement ring (MR)), 2 (superior, within MR), 3 (inferior, within MR), and 4 (inferior, outside MR). We compared RNFLT measurements of aligned versus misaligned exams in all 4 sectors, in the superior area (sectors 1 + 2), inferior area (sectors 3 + 4), and within the measurement ring (sectors 2 + 3). Results. RNFLT measurements at 12 clock-hour of eyes with MAs in the superior area (sectors 1 + 2) were significantly lower than those obtained in the same eyes without MAs P=0.043. No significant difference was found in other areas (sectors 1 + 2 + 3 + 4, sectors 3 + 4, and sectors 2 + 3). Conclusion. SD-OCT scans with superior MAs may present lower superior RNFLT measurements compared to aligned exams

Functional capacity, lung function, and muscle strength in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation : a prospective cohort study

Objective/Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment for benign and malignant hematological diseases. These aggressive treatments cause reduced levels of physical activity, decreased lung function, and worse quality of life. Alterations in pulmonary function tests before HSCT are associated with the risk of respiratory failure and early mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate functional capacity and lung function before and after HSCT and identify the predictors of mortality after 2 years. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out with individuals with oncohematological diseases. The evaluations were carried out in two moments during hospitalization and at hospital discharge. Follow-up was carried out after 48 months. Assessments were carried out on 34 adults, using spirometry, manovacuometry, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Handgrip Strength Test, and 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30-s CST). Results: There was a statistically significant reduction for the variables in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume predicted in the 1st second, Tiffeneau index, handgrip strength, and distance covered (% predicted) on the 6MWT (p < .05). There was a significant difference in the 30-s CST when individuals were compared according to the type of transplant. We found that a 10% reduction in the values of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) can predict an increased risk for mortality. Conclusions: Individuals undergoing HSCT have reduced functional capacity, lung function, and muscle strength during the hospitalization phase. Reduction in the values of MIP increases the risk of nonrelapse mortality

Nanofibrillated Cellulose-Based Aerogels Functionalized with Tajuva (Maclura tinctoria) Heartwood Extract

Aerogels are 3-D nanostructures of non-fluid colloidal interconnected porous networks consisting of loosely packed bonded particles that are expanded throughout their volume by gas and exhibit ultra-low density and high specific surface area. Cellulose-based aerogels can be obtained from hydrogels through a drying process, replacing the solvent (water) with air and keeping the pristine three-dimensional arrangement. In this work, hybrid cellulose-based aerogels were produced and their potential for use as dressings was assessed. Nanofibrilated cellulose (NFC) hydrogels were produced by a co-grinding process in a stone micronizer using a kraft cellulosic pulp and a phenolic extract from Maclura tinctoria (Tajuva) heartwood. NFC-based aerogels were produced by freeze followed by lyophilization, in a way that the Tajuva extract acted as a functionalizing agent. The obtained aerogels showed high porosity (ranging from 97% to 99%) and low density (ranging from 0.025 to 0.040 g·cm−3), as well a typical network and sheet-like structure with 100 to 300 μm pores, which yielded compressive strengths ranging from 60 to 340 kPa. The reached antibacterial and antioxidant activities, percentage of inhibitions and water uptakes suggest that the aerogels can be used as fluid absorbers. Additionally, the immobilization of the Tajuva extract indicates the potential for dentistry applications.The APC was funded by University of the Basque Country. CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) for the doctoral scholarship of the first author

Optimal synthesis of multiperiod heat exchanger networks: A sequential approach

Heat exchanger network (HEN) synthesis is an important research field in industrial processes. It is possible to minimize utilities usage as well as pollutant emissions by an optimal HEN synthesis. In multiperiod HENs, the same heat transfer devices must be able to operate under different operating conditions. The synthesis of multiperiod HEN can be formulated as an optimization problem. In the present paper it is used a sequential approach to solve the problem of synthesizing multiperiod HEN, considering heat capacities and stream temperatures variations into different operation periods. In this approach, multiperiod HEN synthesis is decomposed into three sequential steps, considering three optimization models. The novelties of the proposed approach are a modification in a well-known superstructure from the literature, with the inclusion of new by-pass streams, and an improvement in the NLP model of the third step. Two benchmark literature examples are studied and the obtained results prove the approach applicability, showing better values and network topologies.The authors acknowledge the support provided by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) – Brazilian Education Ministry

Heat Exchanger Network Optimization for Multiple Period Operations

In this paper an optimization model is presented for the synthesis of a heat exchanger network (HEN) for multiperiod operations. A literature very well-known stagewise superstructure is used, but isothermal mixing assumption is not made and a timesharing procedure is adopted. A MINLP problem is solved separately for each period of operation. The final multiperiod HEN is synthesized automatically considering the greatest areas and not fixing matches in each device in different periods, which avoids excessive heat exchange areas. Heat exchangers are designed to be feasible in practice, with a minimum acceptable area. Three literature problems were used to test the applicability of the proposed model. The objective function aims to minimize the total annualized cost (TAC). During implementation of the model, inconsistencies found in the literature were corrected. Results indicate that lower TACs were obtained in the present paper and each heat transfer device is feasible in practice.The authors acknowledge the support provided by CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel)−Brazilian Education Ministry

Genetic and virulence characterization of colistin-resistant and colistin-sensitive A. baumannii clinical isolates.

Treatment of infections caused by A. baumannii is becoming a challenge due to the ability to develop multidrug-resistance, virulence, and high mortality. We described the colistin resistance and virulence genes present in sixA. baumannii clinical isolates using WGS, expression by qPCR, and virulence in the Galleria mellonella model. The colistin-resistant isolates were assigned as ST233 and the colistin-susceptible isolates as ST236 and ST407. The colistin-resistant isolates contained mutations within PmrA/PmrB, and the pmrA showed up-regulation in all of them. Only one colistin-resistant isolate indicating virulence in G. mellonella. This particular isolate belonged to a different clone, and it was the only isolate that presented non-synonymous mutations in pmrB. Colistinresistance in A. baumannii isolates seems to be caused by up-regulation of pmrA gene. Only one isolate appeared to be virulent in the G. mellonella model. This finding indicating low virulence in isolates belonging to emerging clones circulating in our hospital

Lutzomyia longipalpis Saliva or Salivary Protein LJM19 Protects against Leishmania braziliensis and the Saliva of Its Vector, Lutzomyia intermedia

Leishmaniasis, caused by parasitic protozoa Leishmania, is transmitted by bites of female sand flies that, during blood-feeding, inject humans with parasites and saliva. Sand fly saliva has been investigated as a potential vaccine candidate. It was previously shown that immunization with Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva or salivary proteins protects against cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. In the present study, we evaluated if immunization with Lu. longipalpis saliva or DNA plasmid coding for a specific sand fly salivary protein (LJM19) can protect hamsters against L. braziliensis plus another sand fly saliva. Immunization with saliva or LJM19 DNA plasmid induced a mononuclear cell infiltrate which can be a marker of protection. The immune response induced by immunization with these insect molecules was able to protect animals against L. braziliensis infection as shown by the significant reduction in lesion size, parasite load in the ear and draining lymph node. These data show the important role of immune response against sand fly saliva components, suggesting the possibility to develop vaccines using a single component of saliva against Leishmania transmitted by different vectors