Maximization of an Asymmetric Utility Function by the Least Squares

This note points out that a utility maximization procedure proposed in an earlier paper may be reduced to the least squares.The utility function is asymmetric in the sense that for each cue an ideal value and a permissible range are assigned in such a way that the ideal value is not necessarily at the center of the interval, like "a beer of 350 [ml] would be ideal, but acceptable if within [100, 500]". A practical consequence of the observation is that very little programming will be needed to deploy the utility maximization, since software for the least squares is widely available

Maximization of an Asymmetric Utility Function by the Least Squares

Abstract. This note points out that a utility maximization procedure proposed in an earlier paper may be reduced to the least squares. The utility function is asymmetric in the sense that for each cue its ideal value and the permissible range are assigned in such a way that the ideal is not necessarily at the center of the range, like "a beer of 350 ml would be ideal, but acceptable if within [100, 500]". A practical consequence of the observation is that very little programming will be needed to deploy the utility maximization since software for the least squares is widely available

The multi-vehicle covering tour problem: building routes for urban patrolling

In this paper we study a particular aspect of the urban community policing: routine patrol route planning. We seek routes that guarantee visibility, as this has a sizable impact on the community perceived safety, allowing quick emergency responses and providing surveillance of selected sites (e.g., hospitals, schools). The planning is restricted to the availability of vehicles and strives to achieve balanced routes. We study an adaptation of the model for the multi-vehicle covering tour problem, in which a set of locations must be visited, whereas another subset must be close enough to the planned routes. It constitutes an NP-complete integer programming problem. Suboptimal solutions are obtained with several heuristics, some adapted from the literature and others developed by us. We solve some adapted instances from TSPLIB and an instance with real data, the former being compared with results from literature, and latter being compared with empirical data.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, 7 tables, Brazilian Operations Research Society; Printed version ISSN 0101-7438 / Online version ISSN 1678-514

Pareto optimality conditions and duality for vector quadratic fractional optimization problems

One of the most important optimality conditions to aid in solving a vector optimization problem is the first-order necessary optimality condition that generalizes the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker condition. However, to obtain the sufficient optimality conditions, it is necessary to impose additional assumptions on the objective functions and on the constraint set. The present work is concerned with the constrained vector quadratic fractional optimization problem. It shows that sufficient Pareto optimality conditions and the main duality theorems can be established without the assumption of generalized convexity in the objective functions, by considering some assumptions on a linear combination of Hessian matrices instead. The main aspect of this contribution is the development of Pareto optimality conditions based on a similar second-order sufficient condition for problems with convex constraints, without convexity assumptions on the objective functions. These conditions might be useful to determine termination criteria in the development of algorithms.Coordenação de aperfeiçoamento de pessoal de nivel superior (Brasil)Ministerio de Ciencia y TecnologíaConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Brasil)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paul

Nonlinear cutting stock problem model to minimize the number of different patterns and objects

In this article we solve a nonlinear cutting stock problem which represents a cutting stock problem that considers the minimization of, both, the number of objects used and setup. We use a linearization of the nonlinear objective function to make possible the generation of good columns with the Gilmore and Gomory procedure. Each time a new column is added to the problem, we solve the original nonlinear problem by an Augmented Lagrangian method. This process is repeated until no more profitable columns is generated by Gilmore and Gomory technique. Finally, we apply a simple heuristic to obtain an integral solution for the original nonlinear integer problem.617

Genotipagem de Toxoplasma gondii em cão co-infectado com o vírus da cinomose e a rickettsia da erliquiose

This paper reports a toxoplasmosis, erhlichiosis and distemper co-infection in a dog with an exuberant neuropathological clinical picture. Primary involvement was discussed based on information collected in the analysis of the clinical case, such as neurological impairment, epidemiological data, poor immunoprophylactic scheme of the dog affected and the role of these diseases on immunosuppression. Canine distemper and ehrlichiosis were diagnosed based on epidemiologic data, clinical signs, hematological and cytological evaluation. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated and genetically characterized as Type I using restriction analysis (RFLP) with SAG-2 genes. Immunosuppression features of both dogs and human beings are discussed, as well as implications on animal and public health. This is the first report on toxoplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and distemper co-infection in a dog in Brazil, associated with genotyping determination of the T. gondii strain involved.Este artigo relata a co-infecção tripla pelos agentes da cinomose, erliquiose e toxoplasmose em um cão com acentuado quadro clínico neuropático. Discute-se a doença primária baseando-se em dados clínicos, epidemiológicos, no protocolo imunoprofilático inadequado e no papel daquelas doenças na imunossupressão. A cinomose e a erliquiose foram diagnosticadas mediante a situação epidemiológica da região e sinais clínicos compatíveis, aliados aos achados de hemograma e citologia. Utilizando-se a análise de restrição (RFLP) com os genes SAG-2, caracterizou-se geneticamente a linhagem de Toxoplasma gondii isolada, como pertencente ao Tipo I. Discutem-se aspectos de imunossupressão, tanto em cães quanto em seres humanos, bem como suas implicações em saúde pública e animal. Este é o primeiro relato de infecção tripla pelos agentes da toxoplasmose, erliquiose e cinomose no Brasil, associado com a genotipificação da estirpe de T. gondii envolvida

Stretching the Least Squares to Embed Loss Functions Tables

The method of least squares is extended to accommodate a class of loss functions specified in the form of function tables. Each function table is embedded into the standard quadratic loss function so that the nonlinear least squares algorithms can be adopted for loss minimization. This is an alternative to a more conventional approach which interpolates the function tables and minimizes the resulting loss function by some generic optimization algorithm. An advantage of the alternative over the conventional approach is the wider availability of the least squares programs compared to the generic optimization programs, especially on resource-constrained devices. Examples are given for its application to multiplicative utility function maximization problems

ABORDAGEM SOBRE O DESCARTE INADEQUADO DE LÂMPADAS FLUORESCENTES, PILHAS E BATERIAS NO ENSINO DE CIÊNCIAS

Resumo: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi aplicar e avaliar uma proposta didática sobre pilhas, baterias e lâmpadas fluorescentes, no ensino de Ciências, direcionada a estudantes do Ensino Fundamental de duas escolas públicas da cidade de Jaciara-MT. A pesquisa se baseia em uma abordagem qualitativa, tendo como instrumentos de coletas de dados: questionário, observação e diário de campo. Para o planejamento das atividades propostas, os estudantes foram investigados sobre as temáticas, por meio de questionários, de forma a verificar os conhecimentos prévios a respeito dos riscos ocasionados pelo descarte inadequado, destes materiais. Para evidenciar os riscos do descarte inadequado, foram utilizadas duas aulas expositivas/dialogadas e um desafio para o recolhimento dos materiais, que apresentou grande diferença, entre as escolas. Observou-se, por meio das respostas, que a maioria dos estudantes descartam suas pilhas, baterias e lâmpadas fluorescentes, no lixo doméstico, por não saber dos riscos que estes materiais podem causar à saúde e ao meio ambiente, por possuírem metais pesados que são liberados, no caso das pilhas, quando começam a enferrujar e nas lâmpadas fluorescentes, quando são quebradas. Palavras-chave: Descarte inadequado. Pilhas e baterias. Lâmpadas fluorescentes.   Abstract: The objective of the present work was to apply and evaluate a didactic proposal on batteries, batteries and fluorescent lamps, in the teaching of science, directed to students of the elementary School of two public schools of the city of, The research is based on a qualitative approach, having as instruments of data collection, questionnaire, observation and Field Journal. For the planning of the proposed activities, the students were investigated on the subjects, by means of questionnaires, in order to verify the previous knowledge about the risks caused by the inappropriate disposal of these materials. To highlight the risks of inappropriate disposal, two expository/dialogue classes were used and a challenge for the collection of materials, which showed great difference between schools. It was observed, through the replies, that most students discard their batteries, batteries and fluorescent lamps in household waste, because they do not know the risks that these materials can cause to health and the environment, because they have heavy metals that are Released, in the case of batteries, when they start to rust and in fluorescent lamps, when they are broken. Keywords: Improper disposal; Batteries; Fluorescent lamps