Development of an Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm to improve Maintenance Process Efficiency

Efficient maintenance policies are of fundamental importance because of their fallbacks into the safety and economics of air traffic operations. Usually the optimization of maintenance process is limited to a resource optimization in position and number. But it should be considered that maintenance tasks are performed by man whose excessive workload has negative falls-out not only for workers well-being but also for process safety and efficiency. Thus, in maintenance process optimization it is necessary to take into account also ergonomic aspects of workplace. This gives rise to an optimization of the maintenance process by using an ergonomic approach. In this way, the result of the optimization could allow improvements in the quality of the work of maintenance, but also a greater efficiency of the whole maintenance system. An ant colony optimization algorithm has been developed in order to optimize the system efficiency. This kind of algorithm natively permits to improve man movements into the workplace; furthermore the optimization of the workplace ergonomics has been added. To do this, an objective function of efficiency levels has been determined, linked to any task performed by man. Some protocols have been created on the basis of a literature survey and experimental results. This paper illustrates an applied research in which a method for the optimization of the maintenance process efficiency has been developed in order to show the applicability of a tool offering benefits on both sides: the maintenance process and the related human factors

VGF changes during the estrous cycle: a novel endocrine role for TLQP peptides?

Although the VGF derived peptide TLQP-21 stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin secretion, available data on VGF peptides and reproduction are limited. We used antibodies specific for the two ends of the VGF precursor, and for two VGF derived peptides namely TLQP and PGH, to be used in immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay complemented with gel chromatography. In cycling female rats, VGF C-/N-terminus and PGH peptide antibodies selectively labelled neurones containing either GnRH, or kisspeptin (VGF N-terminus only), pituitary gonadotrophs and lactotrophs, or oocytes (PGH peptides only). Conversely, TLQP peptides were restricted to somatostatin neurones, gonadotrophs, and ovarian granulosa, interstitial and theca cells. TLQP levels were highest, especially in plasma and ovary, with several molecular forms shown in chromatography including one compatible with TLQP-21. Among the cycle phases, TLQP levels were higher during metestrus-diestrus in median eminence and pituitary, while increased in the ovary and decreased in plasma during proestrus. VGF N- and C-terminus peptides also showed modulations over the estrous cycle, in median eminence, pituitary and plasma, while PGH peptides did not. In ovariectomised rats, plasmatic TLQP peptide levels showed distinct reduction suggestive of a major origin from the ovary, while the estrogen-progesterone treatment modulated VGF C-terminus and TLQP peptides in the hypothalamus-pituitary complex. In in vitro hypothalamus, TLQP-21 stimulated release of growth hormone releasing hormone but not of somatostatin. In conclusion, various VGF peptides may regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary complex via specific neuroendocrine mechanisms while TLQP peptides may act at further, multiple levels via endocrine mechanisms involving the ovary

The dependency premium based on a multifactor model for dependent mortality data

As shown in the literature, the dependence structure in mortality data cannot be ignored in projecting future trends, in particular for a group of similar populations characterized by common long run relationships. We propose a new multifactor model for capturing common and specific features of the trend over time. We implement the model and investigate its impact on actuarial valuations, through the introduction of the concept of the dependency premium

Critical rainfall thresholds for triggering shallow landslides in the Serchio River Valley (Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract. The Serchio River Valley, in north-western Tuscany, is a well-known tourism area between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. This area is frequently hit by heavy rainfall, which often triggers shallow landslides, debris flows and debris torrents, sometimes causing damage and death. The assessment of the rainfall thresholds for the initiation of shallow landslides is very important in order to improve forecasting and to arrange efficient alarm systems. With the aim of defining the critical rainfall thresholds for the Middle Serchio River Valley, a detailed analysis of the main rainstorm events was carried out. The hourly rainfall recorded by three rain gauges in the 1935–2010 interval was analysed and compared with the occurrence of shallow landslides. The rainfall thresholds were defined in terms of mean intensity I, rainfall duration D, and normalized using the mean annual precipitation. Some attempts were also carried out to analyze the role of rainfall prior to the damaging events. Finally, the rainfall threshold curves obtained for the study area were compared with the local, regional and global curves proposed by various authors. The results of this analysis suggest that in the study area landslide activity initiation requires a higher amount of rainfall and greater intensity than elsewhere

Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in a mesoscopic ring with a quantum dot

We present an analysis of the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations for a mesoscopic ring with a quantum dot inserted in one of its arms. It is shown that microreversibility demands that the phase of the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations changes {\it abruptly} when a resonant level crosses the Fermi energy. We use the Friedel sum rule to discuss the conservation of the parity of the oscillations at different conductance peaks. Our predictions are illustrated with the help of a simple one channel model that permits the variation of the potential landscape along the ring.Comment: 11 pages, Revtex style, 3 figures under request. Submitted to Phys. Rev. B (rapid communications

Large-scale seismic vulnerability and risk of masonry churches in seismic-prone areas: Two territorial case studies

In this paper, seismic vulnerability and risk assessment of two samples of churches, located in Teramo and Ischia island (Naples gulf), both affected by the most recent earthquakes that occurred in Italy, are presented. To this aim, we applied a simplified method particularly suitable for seismic evaluations at a territorial scale, providing a global resulting score to be compared among the cases analyzed. The data obtained allowed us to provide vulnerability maps and a seismic risk index for all the considered churches. In addition, the calculated indexes permit a preliminary health state evaluation of the inspected churches, for ranking the priorities and planning additional in-depth evaluations

Chromosome numbers for the Italian flora: 10

In this contribution, new chromosome data regarding two taxonomically critical genera of the Italian fora, namely Plantago and Sesleria, are presented. All the specimens analysed in this paper were collected in the Italian territory and include three chromosome counts for Plantago (P. albicans, P. crassifolia, and P. subulata) and two counts for Sesleria (S. caerulea and S. nitida)