A Multi-Start Algorithm for Solving the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem with Two-Dimensional Loading Constraints

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Geo-social media as a proxy for hydrometeorological data for streamflow estimation and to improve flood monitoring

Floods are one of the most devastating types of worldwide disasters in terms of human, economic, and social losses. If authoritative data is scarce, or unavailable for some periods, other sources of information are required to improve streamflow estimation and early flood warnings. Georeferenced social media messages are increasingly being regarded as an alternative source of information for coping with flood risks. However, existing studies have mostly concentrated on the links between geo-social media activity and flooded areas. Thus, there is still a gap in research with regard to the use of social media as a proxy for rainfall-runoff estimations and flood forecasting. To address this, we propose using a transformation function that creates a proxy variable for rainfall by analysing geo-social media messages and rainfall measurements from authoritative sources, which are later incorporated within a hydrological model for streamflow estimation. We found that the combined use of official rainfall values with the social media proxy variable as input for the Probability Distributed Model (PDM), improved streamflow simulations for flood monitoring. The combination of authoritative sources and transformed geo-social media data during flood events achieved a 71% degree of accuracy and a 29% underestimation rate in a comparison made with real streamflow measurements. This is a significant improvement on the respective values of 39% and 58%, achieved when only authoritative data were used for the modelling. This result is clear evidence of the potential use of derived geo-social media data as a proxy for environmental variables for improving flood early-warning systems

MOONA software for survey classification and evaluation of criteria to support decision-making for properties portfolio

The MOORA for Neural Networks Analysis (MONNA) software was created to classify variables and evaluate the degree of correlation between them, helping to choose a property portfolio and facilitating decision making involving multiple criteria. The MONNA software presents the classification of the alternatives calculated automatically by the MOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization on the Basis of Ratio Analysis) and provides a Global Average Rate (GAR). Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) analysis provides the degree of correlation between variables and uses GAR as the output parameter. The degree of correlation between the variables allows us to assess whether these variables are dependent on each other and can capture customer preferences. For the application we used a survey that sought to know the preferences of customers, which will serve to make the decision of which properties should be part of the company’s portfolio. The contribution and originality of the MONNA software is that through the integration of the MOORA and ANN methods, the classification and criterion evaluation calculations are faster and standardized. The use of software by decision makers helps to have more accurately find and classify available options, preventing simulations from being done by iterative processes and providing validated numerical data for management evaluation

AGORA-GeoDash: a geosensor dashboard for real-time flood risk monitoring

Flood management is an important approach to reduce damage caused by floods. In this context, technological \ud architectures which work in real-time are needed. However, Brazil has faced many structural difficulties in \ud obtaining updated information on the current state of its rivers. To address this problem, this paper outlines a \ud geosensor dashboard called AGORA-GeoDash, which processes data streams from wireless sensor networks \ud and makes them available in the form of a set of performance indicators that are essential to support real-time \ud decision-making in flood risk monitoring. The dashboard was built on open-source frameworks, made use of \ud geoservices that comply with the standards of Open Geospatial Consortium, and established a Wireless Sensor \ud Network which monitors the rivers of São Carlos/SP in Brazil. The analysis of the indicators available in two \ud rainfall events revealed that the dashboard can provide the key information required for the decision-making \ud process involved in flood risk managementFAPESP processos n. 2008/58161-1, 2011/23274-3, 2012/18675-1, 2012/22550-0CNPq processo n. 307637/2012-3FINEP (MAPLU) 01.10.0701.0

Hemorragia subaracnóidea - aspectos epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos e manejo terapêutico

A hemorragia subaracnóidea (HS) é uma doença de elevada morbimortalidade e constitui uma emergência neurológica; as principais etiologias envolvidas são a doença aneurismática e o traumatismo crânio encefálico (TCE). Outras causas menos comuns de HS incluem anormalidades vasculares congênitas, infecções, doenças autoimunes, uso excessivo de drogas ou álcool e uso de anticoagulantes. Outrossim, os sintomas mais comuns da HS incluem dor de cabeça grave, náuseas, vômitos e tontura; em alguns casos, a pode levar à paralisia das extremidades, alterações de comportamento, convulsões ou coma. O exame de tomografia computadorizada (TC) contribui para o diagnóstico da HS, pois possibilita a visualização de características típicas dessa doença, como o edema perilesional, o aumento da incisura de Silvio e a presença de calcificações. Outros fatores que ajudam no diagnóstico são a anamnese e a avaliação clínica. A anamnese pode fornecer dados importantes, como o tempo de duração dos sintomas, a presença de fatores desencadeantes, a presença de outros sintomas e o histórico familiar. A avaliação clínica também é importante, pois a presença de sinais neurológicos focais pode indicar um maior risco de complicações associadas com a HS. Ademais, o tratamento é baseado na causa, mas geralmente envolve o uso de medicamentos, cirurgia ou terapia de reabilitação; em casos de cefaleia secundária a tumores, as principais abordagens são medicamentosas e cirúrgicas. O tratamento medicamentoso pode ser feito com o uso de analgésicos e/ou antidepressivos que aliviam os sintomas. Porém, em caso de tumores malignos, a cirurgia é necessária para remover o tumor, seguida por radioterapia ou quimioterapia. Em suma, a abordagem do paciente com cefaleia depende da etiologia e dos sinais de alarme associados. É importante realizar um diagnóstico preciso para que o tratamento seja adequado e eficaz

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure