A parallel computation approach for solving multistage stochastic network problems

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comThis paper presents a parallel computation approach for the efficient solution of very large multistage linear and nonlinear network problems with random parameters. These problems result from particular instances of models for the robust optimization of network problems with uncertainty in the values of the right-hand side and the objective function coefficients. The methodology considered here models the uncertainty using scenarios to characterize the random parameters. A scenario tree is generated and, through the use of full-recourse techniques, an implementable solution is obtained for each group of scenarios at each stage along the planning horizon. As a consequence of the size of the resulting problems, and the special structure of their constraints, these models are particularly well-suited for the application of decomposition techniques, and the solution of the corresponding subproblems in a parallel computation environment. An augmented Lagrangian decomposition algorithm has been implemented on a distributed computation environment, and a static load balancing approach has been chosen for the parallelization scheme, given the subproblem structure of the model. Large problems – 9000 scenarios and 14 stages with a deterministic equivalent nonlinear model having 166000 constraints and 230000 variables – are solved in 45 minutes on a cluster of four small (11 Mflops) workstations. An extensive set of computational experiments is reported; the numerical results and running times obtained for our test set, composed of large-scale real-life problems, confirm the efficiency of this procedure.Publicad

A parallel computation approach for solving multistage stochastic network problems

This paper presents a parallel computation approach for the efficient solution of very large multistage linear and nonIinear network problems with random parameters. These problems resul t from particular instances of models for the robust optimization of network problems with uncertainty in the values of the right-hand side and the objective function coefficients. The methodology considered here models the uncertainty using scenarios to characterize the random parameters. A. scenario tree is generated and, through the use of full-recourse techniques, an implementable solution is obtained for each group of scenarios at each stage along the planning horizon. As a consequence of the size of the resulting problems, and the special structure of their constraints, these models are particularly well-suited for the application of decomposition techniques, and the solution of the corresponding subproblems in a parallel computation environment. An Augmented Lagrangian decomposition algorithm has been implemented on a distributed computation environment, and a static load balancing approach has been chosen for the parallelization scheme. given the subproblem structure of the model. Large problems -9000 scenarios and 14 stages with a deterministic equivalent nonlinear model having 166000 constraints and 230000 variables- are solved in 15 minutes on a cluster of 4 small (16 Mflops) workstations. An extensive set of computational experiments is reported; the numerical results and running times obtained for our test set, composed of large-scale real-life problems, confirm the efficiency of this procedure

Tumor dissociation of highly viable cell suspensions for single-cell omic analyses in mouse models of breast cancer.

Cell preparation with a high rate of viable cells is required to obtain reliable single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic data. This protocol describes a technique for digestion and single-cell isolation from mouse mammary tumors to achieve ∼90% of viable cells, which can be subsequently processed in a diverse array of high-throughput single-cell "omic platforms," both in an unbiased manner or after selection of a specific cell population. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Valdes-Mora et al. (2021)

Detección de daño estructural de losas de hormigón armado de puentes sometidas a fatiga

The complex nature of structural phenomena still requires the comparison between numerical models and the real structural performance. Accordingly, many civil structures are monitored to detect structural damage and provide updated data for numerical models. Monitoring usually relies on the change of dynamic properties (experimental modal analysis). Regarding concrete structures, existing works have typically focused on the progressive decrease of natural frequencies under gradually increasing loads. In this paper, high-cycle fatigue effects are analyzed. An experimental campaign on specimens reproducing the top slab of concrete girders has been carried out, including fatigue tests and a reference static test. Impact-excitation tests were done at different stages to extract dynamic properties. Output-only models (only based on the structural response to an external excitation that is not measured) were used as identification techniques. The evolution of dynamic properties was correlated with damage development, with emphasis on the fatigue process stages: crack formation, cyclic reduction of tension-stiffening and brittle fracture of the reinforcement.La naturaleza compleja de muchos fenómenos estructurales requiere que los modelos numéricos necesiten ser verificados con el comportamiento estructural real. Por ello, muchas estructuras son monitorizadas, tanto para detectar posibles daños estructurales como para proporcionar datos a incluir en los modelos. A menudo, la monitorización se basa en el cambio de las propiedades dinámicas mediante técnicas de análisis modal experimental. Con respecto al hormigón estructural, la mayoría de los trabajos existentes se ha centrado en el cambio de las frecuencias propias con cargas monótonamente crecientes. En este artículo se analizan los efectos de la fatiga. Se ha llevado a cabo una campaña experimental sobre piezas que reproducen la losa superior de tableros de puentes, realizándose ensayos de fatiga y uno estático de referencia. Las propiedades dinámicas se han ido extrayendo mediante técnicas de output-only a partir de ensayos de excitación mediante impacto. El cambio de las propiedades dinámicas se ha correlacionado con las etapas del proceso de fatiga: formación de fisuras, reducción de tension-stiffening y rotura frágil de la armadura

Efficiency of Artificial Insemination at Natural Estrus in Organic Churra Ewes

Hormonal treatments used in the artificial insemination (AI) of sheep can cause several physiological problems that can affect negatively fertility and animal health; however, AI protocols based on the detection of natural estrus offer a more sustainable option and can achieve high fertility. In this study, an AI protocol at natural estrus in organic Churra sheep was performed. In the first phase (AI protocol development), 125 ewes were exocervically inseminated, and their fertility was assessed based on the following factors: number of AI, physiological state, body condition, estrus detection–AI interval, and vaginal fluids in cervix. That protocol was repeated for six consecutive years. In all individuals, fertilities based on the timing of insemination after estrus detection were very high. Lactating ewes produced better results than did dry ewes, which was probably because of the better feeding of the former. In addition, double insemination increased the fertility of ewes whose estrus was detected within 16 h of onset. Body condition and amount of vaginal fluid were correlated with fertility. Exocervical inseminations at natural estrus can produce acceptable fertility and prolificity in Churra ewes

Performance outcome measures in padel: a scoping review

Padel is a modern doubles racket sport which has become popular around the world in the last decades. There has been an increase in the quantity of scientific research about this sport in the last years. Therefore, the main objective of this scoping review is to provide an updated contextualization of research regarding padel. PRISMA ScR was used in order to search for articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria in five fields of interest: the anthropometric profile, physiology and physical performance, biomechanics, the epidemiology of injuries, and match analyses Seventy-seven records were included in the study. Padel is an emerging sport both in sport and research terms. This scoping review provides coaches and researchers with all the knowledge available in the five fields of interest. Furthermore, this study enables them to make a map of the current state of the research about padel, and it opens up doors to future investigations. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Magnetic separation and high reusability of chloroperoxidase entrapped in multi polysaccharide micro-supports

Enzyme immobilization on magnetic supports represents a great advantage for the industrial application of enzymatic catalysis since it allows an easy recovery of the catalyst, avoiding any contamination of the product by residual enzyme. Iron oxide nanoparticles are very useful for this purpose. Using a polymer to diminish the interaction between the magnetic cores themselves, can improve the colloidal stability of the support and prevent any interaction with the environment that would affect both support properties and enzyme stability. For this reason, in this work different magnetic micro-supports, based on polydopamine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles with a multi polysaccharide shell, have been developed. These supports have been used to immobilize chloroperoxidase, a very interesting enzyme, able to catalyze many reactions of large-scale interest, but whose application is limited by its sensitivity to reaction conditions. The multi polysaccharide shells of the supports were obtained through a combination of chitosan and alginate. An in-depth analysis of physicochemical and catalytic properties of all the developed magnetic supports is reported. CPO was successfully immobilized with an efficiency of entrapment between 92% and 100% in the case of supports with chitosan in the interior or outer shell respectively. A very good chemical stability of the support under reaction conditions was observed in the case of an interior shell of alginate and an outer coating of chitosan, together with an excellent reusability of the immobilized enzyme, that was recycled to catalyze up to 25 consecutive reaction cycles

Evaluation of patient visual comfort and repeatability of refractive values in non-presbyopic healthy eyes

•AIM: To evaluate the intra-operator repeatability in healthy subjects using the WAM-5500 auto-kerato/refractometer and the iTrace aberrometer, to compare the refractive values and the subjective refraction obtained with both devices and to determine which of these three spherocylindrical corrections allows the subject to achieve the best visual comfort. •METHODS: Forty-two non-presbyopic healthy eyes of 42 subjects were enrolled in this prospective study. Refractive values were compared, evaluating the repeatability, the relationship between the methods and the best visual comfort obtained. •RESULTS: Sphere, cylinder and axis results showed good intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC); the highest ICC was obtained using the spherical refraction with the autorefractometer and the aberrometer, achieving levels of 0.999 and 0.998, respectively. The power vector (PV) was calculated for each refraction method, and the results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between them (P>0.05). Direct comparison of PV measurements using the three methods showed that aberrometer refraction gave the highest values, followed by the subjective values; the autorefractometer gave the lowest values. The subjective method correction was most frequently chosen as the first selection. Equal values were found for the autorefractometer and the aberrometer as the second selection. •CONCLUSION: The iTrace aberrometer and the WAM-5500 auto-kerato/refractometer showed high levels of repeatability in healthy eyes. Refractive corrections with the aberrometer, the autorefractometer and subjective methods presented similar results, but spherocylindrical subjective correction was the most frequently selected option. These technologies can be used as complements in refractive evaluation, but they should not replace subjective refraction