Lin-Kernighan Heuristic Adaptations for the Generalized Traveling Salesman Problem

The Lin-Kernighan heuristic is known to be one of the most successful heuristics for the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). It has also proven its efficiency in application to some other problems. In this paper we discuss possible adaptations of TSP heuristics for the Generalized Traveling Salesman Problem (GTSP) and focus on the case of the Lin-Kernighan algorithm. At first, we provide an easy-to-understand description of the original Lin-Kernighan heuristic. Then we propose several adaptations, both trivial and complicated. Finally, we conduct a fair competition between all the variations of the Lin-Kernighan adaptation and some other GTSP heuristics. It appears that our adaptation of the Lin-Kernighan algorithm for the GTSP reproduces the success of the original heuristic. Different variations of our adaptation outperform all other heuristics in a wide range of trade-offs between solution quality and running time, making Lin-Kernighan the state-of-the-art GTSP local search.Comment: 25 page

Mucinous Cystadenoma Arising in a Mature Cystic Teratoma in a 25-Year-Old Patient

Coexistence of a mucinous cystadenoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma is infrequently reported. Herein a case of a 25-year-old woman diagnosed with a right ovarian mucinous cystadenoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma is reported. She presented with lower right abdominal discomfort. Ultrasound showed a 14.8×7.9×12.5 cm structure on the right adnexa. She underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, which was converted to exploratory laparotomy, during which a right salpingo-oophorectomy was performed

Strategies, methods and tools for managing nanorisks in construction

This paper presents a general overview of the work carried out by European project SCAFFOLD (GA 280535) during its 30 months of life, with special emphasis on risk management component. The research conducted by SCAFFOLD is focused on the European construction sector and considers 5 types of nanomaterials (TiO2, SiO2, carbon nanofibres, cellulose nanofibers and nanoclays), 6 construction applications (Depollutant mortars, selfcompacting concretes, coatings, self-cleaning coatings, fire resistant panels and insulation materials) and 26 exposure scenarios, including lab, pilot and industrial scales. The document focuses on the structure, content and operation modes of the Risk Management Toolkit developed by the project to facilitate the implementation of "nano-management" in construction companies. The tool deploys and integrated approach OHSAS 18001 - ISO 31000 and is currently being validated on 5 industrial case studies.Research carried out by project SCAFFOLD was made possible thanks to funding from the European Commission, through the Seventh Framework Programme (GA 280535

AMINO ACIDS DETERMINATION IN CHEESE

Isotopic dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ID-GC/MS) is the techniques used for quantitative analysis of compounds labeled with stable isotopes. The aim of the work was to develop a simple and accurate analytical method to determine amino acids in some biological specimens by ID-GC/MS technique. A Trace DSQ ThermoFinnigan quadruple mass spectrometer coupled with a Trace GC was used. Amino acids were separated on a Rtx-5MS capillary column, 30 m x 0.25 mm, 0.25µm film thickness, using a temperature program from 50°C, 1 min, 6°C/min la 100°C, 4°C/min la 200°C, 20°C/min la 300°C, (3min). The free amino acids were determined during the ripening period

MediaMill at TRECVID 2013: Searching Concepts, Objects, Instances and Events in Video

In this paper we summarize our TRECVID 2013 [15] video retrieval experiments. The MediaMill team participated in four tasks: concept detection, object localization, in-stance search, and event recognition. For all tasks the starting point is our top-performing bag-of-words system of TRECVID 2008-2012, which uses color SIFT descrip-tors, average and difference coded into codebooks with spa-tial pyramids and kernel-based machine learning. New this year are concept detection with deep learning, concept detec-tion without annotations, object localization using selective search, instance search by reranking, and event recognition based on concept vocabularies. Our experiments focus on es-tablishing the video retrieval value of the innovations. The 2013 edition of the TRECVID benchmark has again been a fruitful participation for the MediaMill team, resulting in the best result for concept detection, concept detection with-out annotation, object localization, concept pair detection, and visual event recognition with few examples

MediaMill at TRECVID 2013: Searching Concepts, Objects, Instances and Events in Video

In this paper we summarize our TRECVID 2013 [15] video retrieval experiments. The MediaMill team participated in four tasks: concept detection, object localization, in-stance search, and event recognition. For all tasks the starting point is our top-performing bag-of-words system of TRECVID 2008-2012, which uses color SIFT descrip-tors, average and difference coded into codebooks with spa-tial pyramids and kernel-based machine learning. New this year are concept detection with deep learning, concept detec-tion without annotations, object localization using selective search, instance search by reranking, and event recognition based on concept vocabularies. Our experiments focus on es-tablishing the video retrieval value of the innovations. The 2013 edition of the TRECVID benchmark has again been a fruitful participation for the MediaMill team, resulting in the best result for concept detection, concept detection with-out annotation, object localization, concept pair detection, and visual event recognition with few examples

A comprehensive review on carotenoids in foods and feeds: status quo, applications, patents, and research needs

Carotenoids are isoprenoids widely distributed in foods that have been always part of the diet of humans. Unlike the other so-called food bioactives, some carotenoids can be converted into retinoids exhibiting vitamin A activity, which is essential for humans. Furthermore, they are much more versatile as they are relevant in foods not only as sources of vitamin A, but also as natural pigments, antioxidants, and health-promoting compounds. Lately, they are also attracting interest in the context of nutricosmetics, as they have been shown to provide cosmetic benefits when ingested in appropriate amounts. In this work, resulting from the collaborative work of participants of the COST Action European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health (EUROCAROTEN, www.eurocaroten.eu, https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabs|Name:overview) research on carotenoids in foods and feeds is thoroughly reviewed covering aspects such as analysis, carotenoid food sources, carotenoid databases, effect of processing and storage conditions, new trends in carotenoid extraction, daily intakes, use as human, and feed additives are addressed. Furthermore, classical and recent patents regarding the obtaining and formulation of carotenoids for several purposes are pinpointed and briefly discussed. Lastly, emerging research lines as well as research needs are highlighted.This article is based upon work from COST Action (European network to advance carotenoid research and applications in agro-food and health, EUROCAROTEN, CA15136, www.eurocaroten.eu, https://www. cost.eu/actions/CA15136/#tabsjName:overview) supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, http://www.cost. eu/).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection on Chimpanzee Population Dynamics

Like human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), simian immunodeficiency virus of chimpanzees (SIVcpz) can cause CD4+ T cell loss and premature death. Here, we used molecular surveillance tools and mathematical modeling to estimate the impact of SIVcpz infection on chimpanzee population dynamics. Habituated (Mitumba and Kasekela) and non-habituated (Kalande) chimpanzees were studied in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Ape population sizes were determined from demographic records (Mitumba and Kasekela) or individual sightings and genotyping (Kalande), while SIVcpz prevalence rates were monitored using non-invasive methods. Between 2002–2009, the Mitumba and Kasekela communities experienced mean annual growth rates of 1.9% and 2.4%, respectively, while Kalande chimpanzees suffered a significant decline, with a mean growth rate of −6.5% to −7.4%, depending on population estimates. A rapid decline in Kalande was first noted in the 1990s and originally attributed to poaching and reduced food sources. However, between 2002–2009, we found a mean SIVcpz prevalence in Kalande of 46.1%, which was almost four times higher than the prevalence in Mitumba (12.7%) and Kasekela (12.1%). To explore whether SIVcpz contributed to the Kalande decline, we used empirically determined SIVcpz transmission probabilities as well as chimpanzee mortality, mating and migration data to model the effect of viral pathogenicity on chimpanzee population growth. Deterministic calculations indicated that a prevalence of greater than 3.4% would result in negative growth and eventual population extinction, even using conservative mortality estimates. However, stochastic models revealed that in representative populations, SIVcpz, and not its host species, frequently went extinct. High SIVcpz transmission probability and excess mortality reduced population persistence, while intercommunity migration often rescued infected communities, even when immigrating females had a chance of being SIVcpz infected. Together, these results suggest that the decline of the Kalande community was caused, at least in part, by high levels of SIVcpz infection. However, population extinction is not an inevitable consequence of SIVcpz infection, but depends on additional variables, such as migration, that promote survival. These findings are consistent with the uneven distribution of SIVcpz throughout central Africa and explain how chimpanzees in Gombe and elsewhere can be at equipoise with this pathogen

Barriers to chimpanzee gene flow at the south-east edge of their distribution.

Populations on the edge of a species' distribution may represent an important source of adaptive diversity, yet these populations tend to be more fragmented and are more likely to be geographically isolated. Lack of genetic exchanges between such populations, due to barriers to animal movement, can not only compromise adaptive potential but also lead to the fixation of deleterious alleles. The south-eastern edge of chimpanzee distribution is particularly fragmented, and conflicting hypotheses have been proposed about population connectivity and viability. To address this uncertainty, we generated both mitochondrial and MiSeq-based microsatellite genotypes for 290 individuals ranging across western Tanzania. While shared mitochondrial haplotypes confirmed historical gene flow, our microsatellite analyses revealed two distinct clusters, suggesting two populations currently isolated from one another. However, we found evidence of high levels of gene flow maintained within each of these clusters, one of which covers an 18,000 km2 ecosystem. Landscape genetic analyses confirmed the presence of barriers to gene flow with rivers and bare habitats highly restricting chimpanzee movement. Our study demonstrates how advances in sequencing technologies, combined with the development of landscape genetics approaches, can resolve ambiguities in the genetic history of critical populations and better inform conservation efforts of endangered species