A computational analysis of lower bounds for big bucket production planning problems

In this paper, we analyze a variety of approaches to obtain lower bounds for multi-level production planning problems with big bucket capacities, i.e., problems in which multiple items compete for the same resources. We give an extensive survey of both known and new methods, and also establish relationships between some of these methods that, to our knowledge, have not been presented before. As will be highlighted, understanding the substructures of difficult problems provide crucial insights on why these problems are hard to solve, and this is addressed by a thorough analysis in the paper. We conclude with computational results on a variety of widely used test sets, and a discussion of future research

Optical feedback instabilities in a monolithic InAs/GaAs quantum dot passively mode-locked laser

International audienceThe impact of optical feedback on the direct performance of a monolithic InAs/GaAs quantum dot passively mode-locked laser intended for applications such as multigigahertz interchip/intrachip clock distribution is experimentally investigated. Evaluation of the feedback resistance is an important feature, as the laser is to be monolithically integrated on chip with other devices, in which case optical isolation is difficult. This work shows that a feedback level on the order of −24 dB is detrimental for mode-locking operation, enhancing noise in the rf electrical signal, strongly narrowing the useful mode-locking region as well as causing central frequency shift, and severe instabilities

Unveiling the atomic position of C in Mn5Ge3 Cx thin films

Heavily carbon-doped Mn5Ge3 is a unique compound for spintronics applications as it meets all the requirements for spin injection and detection in group-IV semiconductors. Despite the great improvement of the magnetic properties induced by C incorporation into Mn5Ge3 compounds, very little information is available on its structural properties and the genuine role played by C atoms. In this paper, we have used a combination of advanced techniques to extensively characterize the structural and magnetic properties of Mn5Ge3Cx films grown on Ge(111) by solid phase epitaxy as a function of C concentration. The increase of the Curie temperature induced by C doping up to 435 K is accompanied by a decrease of the out-of-plane c-lattice parameter. The Mn and C chemical environments and positions in the Mn5Ge3 lattice have been thoroughly investigated using x-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques (x-ray absorption near-edge structures and extended x-ray absorption fine structures) and scanning transmission electronic microscopy (STEM) combined to electron energy loss spectroscopy for the chemical analysis. The results have been systematically compared to a variety of structures that were identified as favorable in terms of formation energy by ab initio calculations. For x≤0.5, the C atoms are mainly located in the octahedral voids formed by Mn atoms, which is confirmed by simulations and seen for the first time in real space by STEM. However, the latter reveals an inhomogeneous C incorporation, which is qualitatively correlated to the broad magnetic transition temperature. A higher C concentration leads to the formation of manganese carbide clusters that we identified as Mn23C6. Interestingly, other types of defects, such as interstitial Ge atoms, vacancies of Mn, and their association into line defects have been detected. They take part in the strain relaxation process and are likely to be intimately related to the growth process. This paper provides a complete picture of the structure of Mn5Ge3Cx in thin films grown by solid phase epitaxy, which is essential for optimizing their magnetic properties

3-Bromophenyl 6-acetoxymethyl-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylate inhibits cancer cell invasion in vitro and tumour growth in vivo

In search for new anticancer agents, we have evaluated the antiinvasive and antimigrative properties of recently developed synthetic coumarin derivatives among which two compounds revealed important activity: 3-chlorophenyl 6-acetoxymethyl-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylate and 3-bromophenyl 6-acetoxymethyl-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylate, Both drugs were able to inhibit cell invasion markedly in a Boyden chamber assay, the bromo derivative being more potent than the reference matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitor GI 129471. In vivo, tumour growth was reduced when nude mice grafted with HT 1080 or MDA-MB231 cells were treated i.p. 3 days week(-1) with the bromo coumarin derivative. These effects were not associated with the inhibition of urokinase, plasmin, MMP-2 or MMP-9. The mechanism of action of the drugs remains to be elucidated. However, these two coumarin derivatives may serve as new lead compounds of an original class of antitumour agents

Spin Reorientations Induced by Morphology Changes in Fe/Ag(001)

By means of magneto-optical Kerr effect we observe spin reorientations from in-plane to out-of-plane and vice versa upon annealing thin Fe films on Ag(001) at increasing temperatures. Scanning tunneling microscopy images of the different Fe films are used to quantify the surface roughness. The observed spin reorientations can be explained with the experimentally acquired roughness parameters by taking into account the effect of roughness on both the magnetic dipolar and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy.Comment: 4 pages with 3 EPS figure

Long-term (trophic) purinergic signalling: purinoceptors control cell proliferation, differentiation and death

The purinergic signalling system, which uses purines and pyrimidines as chemical transmitters, and purinoceptors as effectors, is deeply rooted in evolution and development and is a pivotal factor in cell communication. The ATP and its derivatives function as a 'danger signal' in the most primitive forms of life. Purinoceptors are extraordinarily widely distributed in all cell types and tissues and they are involved in the regulation of an even more extraordinary number of biological processes. In addition to fast purinergic signalling in neurotransmission, neuromodulation and secretion, there is long-term (trophic) purinergic signalling involving cell proliferation, differentiation, motility and death in the development and regeneration of most systems of the body. In this article, we focus on the latter in the immune/defence system, in stratified epithelia in visceral organs and skin, embryological development, bone formation and resorption, as well as in cancer. Cell Death and Disease (2010) 1, e9; doi:10.1038/cddis.2009.11; published online 14 January 201

GeneSrF and varSelRF: a web-based tool and R package for gene selection and classification using random forest

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Microarray data are often used for patient classification and gene selection. An appropriate tool for end users and biomedical researchers should combine user friendliness with statistical rigor, including carefully avoiding selection biases and allowing analysis of multiple solutions, together with access to additional functional information of selected genes. Methodologically, such a tool would be of greater use if it incorporates state-of-the-art computational approaches and makes source code available.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed GeneSrF, a web-based tool, and varSelRF, an R package, that implement, in the context of patient classification, a validated method for selecting very small sets of genes while preserving classification accuracy. Computation is parallelized, allowing to take advantage of multicore CPUs and clusters of workstations. Output includes bootstrapped estimates of prediction error rate, and assessments of the stability of the solutions. Clickable tables link to additional information for each gene (GO terms, PubMed citations, KEGG pathways), and output can be sent to PaLS for examination of PubMed references, GO terms, KEGG and and Reactome pathways characteristic of sets of genes selected for class prediction. The full source code is available, allowing to extend the software. The web-based application is available from <url>http://genesrf2.bioinfo.cnio.es</url>. All source code is available from Bioinformatics.org or The Launchpad. The R package is also available from CRAN.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>varSelRF and GeneSrF implement a validated method for gene selection including bootstrap estimates of classification error rate. They are valuable tools for applied biomedical researchers, specially for exploratory work with microarray data. Because of the underlying technology used (combination of parallelization with web-based application) they are also of methodological interest to bioinformaticians and biostatisticians.</p