The Use of Persistent Explorer Artificial Ants to Solve the Car Sequencing Problem

Ant Colony Optimisation is a widely researched meta-heuristic which uses the behaviour and pheromone laying activities of foraging ants to find paths through graphs. Since the early 1990’s this approach has been applied to problems such as the Travelling Salesman Problem, Quadratic Assignment Problem and Car Sequencing Problem to name a few. The ACO is not without its problems it tends to find good local optima and not good global optima. To solve this problem modifications have been made to the original ACO such as the Max Min ant system. Other solutions involve combining it with Evolutionary Algorithms to improve results. These improvements focused on the pheromone structures. Inspired by other swarm intelligence algorithms this work attempts to develop a new type of ant to explore different problem paths and thus improve the algorithm. The exploring ant would persist throughout the running time of the algorithm and explore unused paths. The Car Sequencing problem was chosen as a method to test the Exploring Ants. An existing algorithm was modified to implement the explorers. The results show that for the car sequencing problem the exploring ants did not have any positive impact, as the paths they chose were always sub-optimal

Economic effect of tourism activity in the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador

Este trabajo busca medir la actividad turística a partir de los beneficios económicos; entre los principales están la reducción de la pobreza, la generación de empleo y la distribución de los ingresos. Sin embargo, existen pocos datos al respecto a nivel local, por lo cual se ha planteado bajo el enfoque cuantitativo y del método de análisis y síntesis, a través de encuesta a los empresarios dedicados a la actividad turística sobre los ingresos, dependientes económicos, variaciones de temporada, para ser utilizados bajo la distribución del ingreso del modelo de Curva de Lorenz, complementado con el Coeficiente de Gini. De esto se obtuvo que existe una mejor distribución del ingreso en el sector turístico de la Zona Consolidada de Tungurahua con un Coeficiente de Gini de 0.403 menor que el coeficiente del Ecuador. Además, se observó que los ingresos anuales superan los 21 millones de dólares, de lo cual se concluye que el beneficio económico del turismo produce distribución e igualdad entre los habitantes de una zona geográfica, pues permite la equiparación de oportunidades. Se indica que impulsar el turismo como fuente de empleo, desarrollo y emprendimiento incrementará el nivel de vida de los habitantes.This work tries to measure the tourism activity through the economic benefits; among the main ones are poverty reduction, job creation and income distribution. However, there is few data available at the local level; For which it has been raised under the quantitative approach and the method of analysis and synthesis, through a survey of the entrepreneurs dedicated to the tourism activity on income, economic dependents, seasonal variations, to be used under the income distribution of the Model of Lorenz Curve, complemented with the Coefficient of Gini. Whereof it was obtained that there is a better distribution of the income in the tourism sector of the Consolidated Zone of Tungurahua with a Gini coefficient of 0.403 lower than the coefficient of Ecuador. In addition, it was noted that annual revenues exceed $ 21 million. From this it is concluded that the tourism economic benefit produces distribution and equality among the inhabitants of a geographical area, because it allows the equalization of opportunities; It is indicated that boosting tourism as a source of employment, development and entrepreneurship will increase the standard of living of the inhabitants.Facultad de Ciencias Económica

Changing trends in the microvascular reconstruction and oral rehabilitation following maxillary cancer

PurposeThe maxillectomy defect is complex and the best means to achieve optimal reconstruction, and dental rehabilitation is a source of debate. The refinements in zygomatic implant techniques have altered the means and speed by which rehabilitation can be achieved and has also influenced the choice regarding ideal flap reconstruction. The aim of this study is to report on how the method of reconstruction and oral rehabilitation of the maxilla has changed since 1994 in our Institution, and to reflect on case mix and survival.MethodsConsecutive head and neck oncology cases involving maxillary resections over a 27-year period between January 1994 and November 2020 were identified from hospital records and previous studies. Case note review focussed on clinical characteristics, reconstruction, prosthetic rehabilitation, and survival.ResultsThere were 186 patients and the tumour sites were: alveolus for 56% (104), hard palate for 19% (35), maxillary sinus for 18% (34) and nasal for 7% (13). 52% (97) were Brown class 2 defects. Forty-five patients were managed by obturation and 78% (142/183) had free tissue transfer. The main flaps used were radial (52), anterolateral thigh (27), DCIA (22), scapula (13) and fibula (11). There were significant changes over time regarding reconstruction type, use of primary implants, type of dental restoration, and length of hospital stay. Overall survival after 24 months was 64% (SE 4%) and after 60 months was 42% (SE 4%).ConclusionThese data reflect a shift in the reconstruction of the maxillary defect afforded by the utilisation of zygomatic implants

Functional Plain Yogurt Enhanced with Inulin and Aloe Vera

Yogurt has been recognized as a healthy food. Nutritional value of yogurt can be increased with the addition of aloe vera juice (AVJ) and inulin. People are interested in consuming products without artificial ingredients and with high content of bioactive compounds. The aims of this study were to develop a functional plain yogurt enhanced with inulin and AVJ, to evaluate the physicochemical properties, the enumeration of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, inulin content, and consumer acceptability. Six treatments were evaluated at day 1, 7, 14 and 30 at 4°C. Treatments were prepared using 2% fat milk, ABY culture, 5 and 15% of AVJ, and 1.5 % of inulin. Yogurts were analysed for syneresis, pH, color, titratable acidity (TA), viscosity, inulin content, enumeration of starter cultures. A consumer test was also conducted. Triplicate experiments were conducted, data were analyzed at α= 0.05 using a factorial arrangement with repeated measures in time. Results show pH decreased and TA increased over time. Addition of inulin and increase levels of AVJ decreased pH and TA. Luminosity (L*) was reduced significantly (PStreptococcus thermophilus counts increased (P9 CFU/g. Lactobacillus bulgaricus counts decreased at day 14 and increased significantly at day 30 with values higher than 106 CFU/g. Inulin content decreased over time. The treatment with 15% AVJ had the lowest inulin content. For sensory evaluation, treatments had significantly lower sensory scores. Purchase intent increased after the consumers are made aware of the health benefits. The study demonstrated that use high concentration of AVJ in combination with inulin negatively affect important properties in yogurt; however, yogurt can be fortified with inulin and low concentrations of AVJ to provide health benefits

Estudo in vitro da interação da linhagem de fibroblastos L929 com membranas de celulose bacteriana para aplicações em engenharia de tecidos

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Química.O estudo das interações entre células e substrato na engenharia de tecidos é de grande importância para a determinação das propriedades biológicas dos implantes. A adesão das células ao substrato influencia na morfologia, proliferação e viabilidade celular. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas a adesão, proliferação e viabilidade de fibroblastos de camundongo, linhagem L929, em suporte biopolimérico. Dois tipos de celulose bacteriana foram utilizados: uma produzida em laboratório e outra comercial (BIONEXT®). Os fibroblastos foram cultivados sobre as membranas em meio DMEM, suplementado com 10% de SBF a 37°C, contendo 5%CO2, e diferentes parâmetros celulares foram escolhidos com o objetivo de monitorar e avaliar o comportamento das células em diferentes tempos de cultivo nas membranas. Foram observadas diferenças morfológicas significativas nas células. Os fibroblastos permaneceram com morfologia arredondada. A celulose bacteriana permitiu a adesão, crescimento, proliferação e viabilidade das células. The study of the dynamic behavior and adhesion between cells and substrates in tissue engineering is of major importance to predict the final biological properties of tissue implants. The adhesion of cells on the substrate influences morphology, proliferation and cellular viability. In this work, adhesion, proliferation and viability of L929 mouse fibroblasts on bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes were evaluated in vitro. Two kinds of cellulose membranes were used; a produced in the laboratory and a commercially available (BIONEXT®). Fibroblasts were cultivated on the membranes in a DMEM medium supplemented with 10% of SBF at 37°C, containing 5% of CO2, and different cellular parameters were chosen to evaluate the cell behavior on the membranes in function of time. Significant morphologic differences were observed in the cells. Although the fibroblasts were well adhered to the membrane, they maintained a round-shape. Bacterial cellulose membranes allowed cell adhesion, growth, proliferation and viability

The Role of Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Technique in the Lumbopelvic Region as a Diagnosis and Treatment Tool in Physiotherapy: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) technique seems to be a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis and treatment in physiotherapy and has been widely studied in the lumbopelvic region the last three decades. The aims for this utility in clinical settings must be review through a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. A systematic review was designed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines with PROSPERO registration and per review in all phases of the process using COVIDENCE, analysis of risk of bias and meta-analysis using REVMAN, and meta-regression calculation using STATA. Database screening provided 6544 references, out of which 321 reported narrative synthesis, and 21 reported quantitative synthesis, while only 7 of them provided comparable data to meta-analyze the variables pain and muscle thickness. In most cases, the forest plots showed considerable I2 heterogeneity indexes for multifidus muscle thickness (I2 = 95%), low back pain (I2 = 92%) and abdominal pain (I2 = 95%), not important for transversus abdominis muscle thickness (I2 = 22%), significant heterogenity (I2 = 69%) depending on the subgroup and not important internal oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%) and external oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%). Meta-regression did not provide significant data for the correlations between the variables analyzed and the intervention, age, and BMI (Body Mass Index). This review reveals that RUSI could contribute to a high reliability of the measurements in the lumbopelvic region with validity and reliability for the assessments, as well as showing promising results for diagnosis and intervention assessment in physiotherapy compared to the traditional model, allowing for future lines of research in this area.post-print835 K

The role of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging technique in the lumbopelvic region as a diagnosis and treatment tool in physiotherapy: Systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) technique seems to be a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis and treatment in physiotherapy and has been widely studied in the lumbopelvic region the lastthree decades. The aims forthis utility in clinical settings must be review through a systematic review, meta?analysis and meta?regression. A systematic review was designed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta?Analyses) guidelines with PROSPERO registration and perreview in all phases of the process using COVIDENCE, analysis ofrisk of bias and meta?analysis using REVMAN, and meta?regression calculation using STATA. Database screening provided 6544 references, out of which 321 reported narrative synthesis, and 21 reported quantitative synthesis, while only 7 of them provided comparable data to meta?analyze the variables pain and muscle thickness. In most cases, the forest plots showed considerable I2 heterogeneity indexes for multifidus muscle thickness (I2 = 95%), low back pain (I2 = 92%) and abdominal pain (I2 = 95%), not important for transversus abdominis muscle thickness (I2 = 22%), significant heterogenity (I2 = 69%) depending on the subgroup and not important internal oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%) and external oblique muscle thickness (I2 = 0%). Meta?regression did not provide significant data forthe correlations between the variables analyzed and the intervention, age, and BMI (Body Mass Index). This review reveals that RUSI could contribute to a high reliability of the measurements in the lumbopelvic region with validity and reliability for the assessments, as well as showing promising results for diagnosis and intervention assessment in physiotherapy compared to the traditional model, allowing for future lines of research in this area

The Communicator, December 6, 2004

The Communicator newspaper published on December 6, 2004

La signalisation BMP9 maintient l’intégrité endothéliale et prévient la perméabilité vasculaire rétinienne hyperglycémique

Un endothélium vasculaire rétinien quiescent est essentiel dans l’approvisionnement et le maintien de l’homéostasie tissulaire afin d’assurer la fonction visuelle. L’hyperglycémie chronique dans le diabète peut mener à des complications reliées à plusieurs changements structuraux et fonctionnels de l’endothélium. Ces changements se manifestent souvent par des vaisseaux instables et hyperperméables, résultant en un tissu rétinien inadéquatement perfusé. Ces altérations sont rencontrées dans la pathophysiologie de l’œdème maculaire diabétique (OMD) qui affecte plus du quart des diabétiques. L’inhibition du facteur de perméabilité vasculaire VEGF-A a révolutionné le traitement de l’OMD, mais est aussi associée à des effets secondaires non négligeables reliés à leur non-spécificité et à une compréhension incomplète des mécanismes régulant la perméabilité vasculaire. Un ciblage spécifique de l’endothélium permettant la récupération de la quiescence et la stabilité physiologique réduisant l’hyperperméabilité pourrait fournir un nouvel outil thérapeutique. La BMP9 (Bone morphogenetic protein 9), qui est mise en circulation par le foie, est connue comme facteur de quiescence et de stabilité vasculaire ainsi que pour son effet sur l’homéostasie du glucose. Ces aspects étant peu documentés dans un contexte diabétique, nous avons évalué les capacités de la BMP9 sur la stabilisation de l’endothélium rétinien et ses effets paracrines/autocrines sur la gluconéogenèse hépatique. Nous avons démontré que la signalisation canonique de la BMP9/Smad1,5,9 via son récepteur spécifique à l’endothélium Alk1, était déficiente dans un modèle murin de diabète, ce qui exacerbe l’hyperperméabilité endothéliale rétinienne. À l’inverse, la surexpression de la BMP9 par un modèle murin de livraison adénovirale récupère la perméabilité physiologique, associée principalement à un renforcement des jonctions interendothéliales en limitant l’action du VEGF. De plus, nous avons trouvé que la BMP9 améliore le contrôle glycémique chez les souris diabétiques par l’inhibition de la gluconéogenèse hépatique, via la voie non-canonique Alk3/FOXO1. Fondamentalement, ce travail met en évidence les mécanismes régissant la perméabilité endothéliale dans un contexte diabétique, fournissant une alternative thérapeutique contre l’OMD. La régulation de la perméabilité rétinienne par la BMP9 s’effectue à plusieurs niveaux, indirectement par le contrôle glycémique, et directement par la solidification jonctionnelle de la barrière endothéliale rétinienne, réhabilitant ainsi la quiescence et la stabilité de l'endothélium physiologique.A quiescent retinal vascular endothelium is essential for the supply and maintenance of tissue homeostasis to ensure proper visual function. Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes can lead to multiple complications related to several structural and functional changes in the endothelium, characterized by unstable and hyperpermeable vessels resulting in an inadequately perfused retinal tissue. These alterations are encountered in the pathophysiology of diabetic macular edema (DME), which affects more than a quarter of diabetics. Inhibition of the vascular permeability factor VEGF-A has revolutionized the treatments of DME but is associated with non-negligible side effects related to their non-specific action combined with an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms regulating vascular permeability. Specific endothelial targeting aiming to recover quiescence and reducing hyperpermeability could provide new therapeutic tools for the treatment or prevention of DME. BMP9 (Bone morphogenetic protein 9), which is produced by the liver, is known as a vascular quiescence and stability factor as well as for its effects on glucose homeostasis. Since these aspects are poorly documented in a diabetic context, we investigated BMP9’s capabilities on endothelium stabilization and its paracrine/autocrine effects on hepatic gluconeogenesis. In our studies, we found that the canonical BMP9/Smad1,5,9 signaling, via its physiological Alk1 endothelium-specific receptor, was deficient in a murine model of diabetes, which exacerbates retinal endothelial hyperpermeability. In contrast, adenoviral overexpression of BMP9 recovers physiological permeability, which was primarily associated with the enhancement of interendothelial junctions by limiting the action of VEGF. In addition, we found that BMP9 improves glycemic control in diabetic mice by inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis via the non-canonical ALK3/FOXO1 pathway. Fundamentally, this work highlights new insights of the mechanisms governing endothelial permeability in a diabetic context, providing a therapeutic alternative against DME. Regulation of retinal permeability by BMP9 occurs on several levels, indirectly, through glycemic control, and directly through the junctional solidification of the hyperglycemic retinal endothelial barrier, thus rehabilitating the quiescence and stability of the physiological endothelium

Statistical model fitting and model selection in pedestrian dynamics research

Pedestrian dynamics is concerned with understanding the movement patterns that arise in places where more than one person walks. Relating theoretical models to data is a crucial goal of research in this field. Statistical model fitting and model selection are a suitable approach to this problem and here we review the concepts and literature related to this methodology in the context of pedestrian dynamics. The central tenet of statistical modelling is to describe the relationship between different variables by using probability distributions. Rather than providing a critique of existing methodology or a "how to" guide for such an established research technique, our review aims to highlight broad concepts, different uses, best practices, challenges and opportunities with a focussed view on theoretical models for pedestrian behaviour. This contribution is aimed at researchers in pedestrian dynamics who want to carefully analyse data, relate a theoretical model to data, or compare the relative quality of several theoretical models. The survey of the literature we present provides many methodological starting points and we suggest that the particular challenges to statistical modelling in pedestrian dynamics make this an inherently interesting field of research