Waste processing facility location problem by stochastic programming: Models and solutions

The paper deals with the so-called waste processing facility location problem (FLP), which asks for establishing a set of operational waste processing units, optimal against the total expected cost. We minimize the waste management (WM) expenditure of the waste producers, which is derived from the related waste processing, transportation, and investment costs. We use a stochastic programming approach in recognition of the inherent uncertainties in this area. Two relevant models are presented and discussed in the paper. Initially, we extend the common transportation network flow model with on-and-off waste-processing capacities in selected nodes, representing the facility location. Subsequently, we model the randomly-varying production of waste by a scenario-based two-stage stochastic integer linear program. Finally, we employ selected pricing ideas from revenue management to model the behavior of the waste producers, who we assume to be environmentally friendly. The modeling ideas are illustrated on an example of limited size solved in GAMS. Computations on larger instances were realized with traditional and heuristic algorithms, implemented within MATLAB. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

The dysbindin-containing complex (BLOC-1) in brain: developmental regulation, interaction with SNARE proteins and role in neurite outgrowth.

Previous studies have implicated DTNBP1 as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and its encoded protein, dysbindin, as a potential regulator of synaptic vesicle physiology. In this study, we found that endogenous levels of the dysbindin protein in the mouse brain are developmentally regulated, with higher levels observed during embryonic and early postnatal ages than in young adulthood. We obtained biochemical evidence indicating that the bulk of dysbindin from brain exists as a stable component of biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1), a multi-subunit protein complex involved in intracellular membrane trafficking and organelle biogenesis. Selective biochemical interaction between brain BLOC-1 and a few members of the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) superfamily of proteins that control membrane fusion, including SNAP-25 and syntaxin 13, was demonstrated. Furthermore, primary hippocampal neurons deficient in BLOC-1 displayed neurite outgrowth defects. Taken together, these observations suggest a novel role for the dysbindin-containing complex, BLOC-1, in neurodevelopment, and provide a framework for considering potential effects of allelic variants in DTNBP1--or in other genes encoding BLOC-1 subunits--in the context of the developmental model of schizophrenia pathogenesis

Defoliation of common ragweed by Ophraella communa beetle does not affect pollen allergenicity in controlled conditions

Ragweed allergy is one of the primary causes of seasonal allergies in Europe and its prevalence is expected to rise. The leaf beetle Ophraella communa, recently and accidentally established in N-Italy and S-Switzerland, represents a promising approach to control ragweed, but negative side effects should be excluded before its use. Since biotic and abiotic stresses are known to influence the allergenicity of pollen, we set out to assess the effect of sub-lethal defoliation by O. communa on the quantity and quality of ragweed pollen. Seventeen sister pairs (including six clones) of ragweed plants were grown in controlled conditions. One of each pair was exposed to O. communa as soon as the plant started to produce reproductive structures. After 10 weeks of exposure, plant traits were measured as a proxy for pollen quantity. Pollen quality was assessed by measuring its viability and allergenicity. Generally, plants produced very few male flowers and little amount of pollen. Damage by the beetle was severe with most of the leaf tissue removed, but no treatment effect was found on any of the quantitative and qualitative traits assessed. In conclusion, O. communa did not increase the amount or allergenicity of ragweed pollen grains in our experimental conditions

A L\'evy input fluid queue with input and workload regulation

We consider a queuing model with the workload evolving between consecutive i.i.d.\ exponential timers $\{e_q^{(i)}\}_{i=1,2,...}$ according to a spectrally positive L\'evy process $Y_i(t)$ that is reflected at zero, and where the environment $i$ equals 0 or 1. When the exponential clock $e_q^{(i)}$ ends, the workload, as well as the L\'evy input process, are modified; this modification may depend on the current value of the workload, the maximum and the minimum workload observed during the previous cycle, and the environment $i$ of the L\'evy input process itself during the previous cycle. We analyse the steady-state workload distribution for this model. The main theme of the analysis is the systematic application of non-trivial functionals, derived within the framework of fluctuation theory of L\'evy processes, to workload and queuing models

A Multistage Stochastic Programming Approach to the Dynamic and Stochastic VRPTW - Extended version

We consider a dynamic vehicle routing problem with time windows and stochastic customers (DS-VRPTW), such that customers may request for services as vehicles have already started their tours. To solve this problem, the goal is to provide a decision rule for choosing, at each time step, the next action to perform in light of known requests and probabilistic knowledge on requests likelihood. We introduce a new decision rule, called Global Stochastic Assessment (GSA) rule for the DS-VRPTW, and we compare it with existing decision rules, such as MSA. In particular, we show that GSA fully integrates nonanticipativity constraints so that it leads to better decisions in our stochastic context. We describe a new heuristic approach for efficiently approximating our GSA rule. We introduce a new waiting strategy. Experiments on dynamic and stochastic benchmarks, which include instances of different degrees of dynamism, show that not only our approach is competitive with state-of-the-art methods, but also enables to compute meaningful offline solutions to fully dynamic problems where absolutely no a priori customer request is provided.Comment: Extended version of the same-name study submitted for publication in conference CPAIOR201

Alfarerías tubulares en el noreste de la provincia de Buenos Aires: caracterización y distribución

Las formas cerámicas conocidas como “alfarerías tubulares” han sido registradas en sitios arqueológicos de cazadores-recolectores del noreste de la provincia de Buenos Aires, prácticamente desde las primeras investigaciones en la zona. Aparecen representadas en baja frecuencia dentro de los conjuntos cerámicos. La particularidad de dicha alfarería reside en su morfología con dos extremos abiertos. A partir de haber hallado fragmentos de estas formas en dos sitios arqueológicos, San Clemente VI y Las Marías (partidos de Magdalena y Punta Indio, provincia de Buenos Aires), se procede a su caracterización. Se contextualizan dichos fragmentos dentro de la muestra cerámica total de cada uno de estos sitios. Asimismo, se realiza una sistematización de la información arqueológica existente y se analiza la distribución espacio-temporal de la alfarería tubular. Se observa una ubicación restringida a ambientes fluviales, lacustres y marítimos, en al menos 30 sitios arqueológicos, localizados en su mayoría en el noreste de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Se han registrado fragmentos en algunos sitios de las provincias de Entre Ríos y Corrientes. En cuanto a su distribución temporal, comprende parte del Holoceno tardío, aproximadamente entre 1800 y 600 años AP. Se considera a las alfarerías tubulares como utensilios de transferencia, cuya función se comprendería contextualizando el análisis de esta forma en el registro cerámico total de cada sitio arqueológico.Ceramic forms known as "tubular potteries" have been found in archaeological sites of hunter-gatherers in the northeast of Buenos Aires Province, practically since the first investigations in the area. They appear in low frequency within the ceramic assemblages. The peculiarity of such ceramics is their morphology with two open ends. After the discovery of fragments of this type in two archaeological sites, San Clemente VI and Las Marías (Magdalena and Punta Indio counties, Buenos Aires Province), we proceeded to its characterization. These fragments are contextualized within the total ceramic sample of each site. We also make a systematic study of this archaeological information and analyze the location and time distribution of these tubular potteries. They have been found near rivers, lakes and sea sides, in at least 30 archaeological sites, located mostly in the northeast of the Province of Buenos Aires. Some fragments were found in Entre Rios and Corrientes Provinces. Tubular potteries time distribution includes part of the Late Holocene, roughly between 1800 and 600 years BP. We propose these tubular potteries were as transfer tools whose functions would be understood by contextualizing the analysis of the complete ceramic record of each archaeological site.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A New Monitor and Control Power Supply PCB for Biasing LNAs of Large Radio Telescopes Receivers

The biasing of low noise amplifiers (LNA) is of paramount importance for the receivers of large radio telescopes. High stability, optimal trade-off between gain and noise figure, remote control, and mitigation of the radio frequency interferences (RFIs) are all desirable features in the choice of the electronic board devoted to power supply the LNAs. In this paper, we propose the design and characterization of a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB), named GAIA, able to meet all the aforementioned requirements. The GAIA board is a 3-Unit, four-layer, rack-mountable, programmable PCB for the remote biasing of the LNAs, with monitor and control capabilities, specifically designed to operate in the receivers of the 64-m diameter Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT). We describe the architecture, layout, and measurements of the GAIA board. Our results show that the GAIA power supply provides high stability of the output bias voltages and, in comparison with the old analogic biasing board used so far in the SRT receivers, it shows comparable or better frequency stability, other than a remarkable mitigation of the RFIs

Constraint Propagation for the Dial-a-Ride Problem with Split Loads

International audienceAbstract. This paper deals with a new problem: the Dial and Ride Problem with Split Loads (DARPSL), while using randomized greedy insertion techniques together with constraint propagation techniques. Though it focuses here on the static versions of Dial and Ride, it takes into account the fact that practical DARP has to be handled according to a dynamical point of view, and even, in some case, in real time contexts. So, the kind of algorithmic solution which is proposed here, aim at making easier to bridge both points of view. First, we propose the general framework of the model and discuss the link with dynamical DARP, second, we describe the two algorithms (DARP and DARPSL), and lastly, show numerical experiments for both

The Sardinia Space Communication Asset: Performance of the Sardinia Deep Space Antenna X-Band Downlink Capability

The Sardinia deep space antenna (SDSA), managed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) has started its operations in 2017 aiming to provide tracking and communication services for deep space, near earth, and lunar missions, and to support new and challenging radio science experiments. The SDSA shares with the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) a part of the system and infrastructure, but has its own specific equipment and a dedicated control center. The current SDSA capabilities involve the X-band (8.4 GHz-8.5 GHz) reception of telemetry from deep space probes within interplanetary missions. In this work we describe the development and performance of the X-band receiving system. It was designed and assembled with the cooperation of both the NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Specifically, NASA-JPL provided the X-band feed and the cryogenic receiver installed in a suitable focus of the SRT devoted to space applications, and ESA provided the intermediate frequency modem system (IFMS) for signal processing. The coupling of the X-band feed with the parabolic reflector of the SRT and the radiating features of the SDSA have been evaluated with simulations performed using CST Studio Suite and GRASP by Ticra. The telecommunication performance of the system has been assessed by measurements and experiments showing a good agreement between estimates and simulations