Improving the Computational Efficiency in Symmetrical Numeric Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Models are used in science and engineering for experimentation, analysis, diagnosis or design. In some cases, they can be considered as numeric constraint satisfaction problems (NCSP). Many models are symmetrical NCSP. The consideration of symmetries ensures that NCSP-solver will find solutions if they exist on a smaller search space. Our work proposes a strategy to perform it. We transform the symmetrical NCSP into a newNCSP by means of addition of symmetry-breaking constraints before the search begins. The specification of a library of possible symmetries for numeric constraints allows an easy choice of these new constraints. The summarized results of the studied cases show the suitability of the symmetry-breaking constraints to improve the solving process of certain types of symmetrical NCSP. Their possible speedup facilitates the application of modelling and solving larger and more realistic problems.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología DIP2003-0666-02-

Optical Spectroscopy of X-Mega targets in the Carina Nebula - VI. FO 15: a new O-Type double-lined eclipsing binary

We report the discovery of a new O-type double-lined spectroscopic binary with a short orbital period of 1.4 days. We find the primary component of this binary, FO 15, to have an approximate spectral type O5.5Vz, i.e. a Zero-Age-Main-Sequence star. The secondary appears to be of spectral type O9.5V. We have performed a numerical model fit to the public ASAS photometry, which shows that FO 15 is also an eclipsing binary. We find an orbital inclination of ~ 80 deg. From a simultaneous light-curve and radial velocity solution we find the masses and radii of the two components to be 30 +/- 1 and 16 +/- 1 solar masses and 7.5 +/- 0.5 and 5.3 +/- 0.5 solar radii. These radii, and hence also the luminosities, are smaller than those of normal O-type stars, but similar to recently born ZAMS O-type stars. The absolute magnitudes derived from our analysis locate FO 15 at the same distance as Eta Carinae. From Chandra and XMM X-ray images we also find that there are two close X-ray sources, one coincident with FO 15 and another one without optical counterpart. This latter seems to be a highly variable source, presumably due to a pre-main-sequence stellar neighbour of FO 15.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Higher resolution version available at http://lilen.fcaglp.unlp.edu.ar/papers2006.htm

Evidence and research perspectives for surgeons in the European Rectal Cancer Consensus Conference (EURECA-CC2)

PURPOSE: Although surgery remains the most important treatment of rectal cancer, the management of this disease has evolved to become more multidisciplinary to offer the best clinical outcome. The International Conference on Multidisciplinary Rectal Cancer Treatment: Looking for an European Consensus' (EURECA-CC2) had the due to identify the degree of consensus that could be achieved across a wide range of topics relating to the management of rectal cancer helping shape future programs, investigational protocols and guidelines for staging and treatment throughout Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consensus was achieved using the Delphi method. Eight chapters were identified: epidemiology, diagnostics, pathology, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, treatment toxicity and quality of life, follow-up, and research questions. Each chapter was subdivided by topic, and a series of statements were developed. Each committee member commented and voted, sentence by sentence three times. Sentences which did not reach agreement after voting round # 2 were openly debated during the Conference in Perugia (Italy) December 2008. The Executive Committee scored percentage consensus based on three categories: 'large consensus', 'moderate consensus', 'minimum consensus'. RESULTS: The total number of the voted sentences was 207. Of the 207, 86% achieved large consensus, 13% achieved moderate consensus, and only 3 (1%) resulted in minimum consensus. No statement was disagreed by more than 50% of members. All chapters were voted on by at least 75% of the members, and the majority was voted on by 85%. CONCLUSIONS: This Consensus Conference represents an expertise opinion process that may help shape future programs, investigational protocols, and guidelines for staging and treatment of rectal cancer throughout Europe. In spite of substantial progress, many research challenges remain

Optimal shape design of a class of permanent magnet motors in a multiple-objectives context

Purpose: This paper aims to deal with the optimal shape design of a class of permanent magnet motors by minimizing multiple objectives according to an original interpretation of Pareto optimality. The proposed method solves a many-objective problems characterized by five objective functions and five design variables with evolution strategy algorithms, classically used for single- and multi-objective (two objective functions) optimization problems. Design/methodology/approach: Two approaches are proposed in the paper: the All-Objectives (AO) and the Many-Objectives (MO) optimization approach. The former is based on a single-objective optimization of a preference function, i.e. a normalized weighted sum. In contrast, in the MO a multi-objective optimization algorithm is applied to the minimization of a weight-free preference function and simultaneously to a maximization of the distance of the current solution from the prototype. The optimizations are based on an equivalent circuit model of the Permanent Magnet (PM) motor, but the results are assessed by means of finite element analyses (FEAs). Findings: An extensive study of the solutions obtained by means of the different optimization approaches is provided by means of post-processing analyses. Both the approaches find non-dominated solutions with respect to the prototype that are substantially improving the initial solution. The points of strength along with the weakness points of each solution with respect to the prototype are analysed in depth. Practical implications: The paper gives a good guide to the designers of electric motors, focussed on a shape design optimization. Originality/value: Considering simultaneously five objective functions in an automated optimal design procedure is challenging. The proposed approach, based on a well-known and established optimization algorithm, but exploiting a new concept of degree of conflict, can lead to new results in the field of automated optimal design in a many-objective context

Usual energy and macronutrient intakes in 2-9-year-old European children

OBJECTIVE: Valid estimates of population intakes are essential for monitoring trends as well as for nutritional interventions, but such data are rare in young children. In particular, the problem of misreporting in dietary data is usually not accounted for. Therefore, this study aims to provide accurate estimates of intake distributions in European children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional setting-based multi-centre study. SUBJECTS: A total of 9560 children aged 2-9 years from eight European countries with at least one 24-h dietary recall (24-HDR). METHODS: The 24-HDRs were classified in three reporting groups based on age- and sex-specific Goldberg cutoffs (underreports, plausible reports, overreports). Only plausible reports were considered in the final analysis (N=8611 children). The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Method was applied to estimate population distributions of usual intakes correcting for the variance inflation in short-term dietary data. RESULTS: The prevalence of underreporting (9.5%) was higher compared with overreporting (3.4%). Exclusion of misreports resulted in a shift of the energy and absolute macronutrient intake distributions to the right, and further led to the exclusion of extreme values, that is, mean values and lower percentiles increased, whereas upper percentiles decreased. The distributions of relative macronutrient intakes (% energy intake from fat/carbohydrates/proteins) remained almost unchanged when excluding misreports. Application of the NCI-Method resulted in markedly narrower intake distributions compared with estimates based on single 24-HDRs. Mean percentages of usual energy intake from fat, carbohydrates and proteins were 32.2, 52.1 and 15.7%, respectively, suggesting the majority of European children are complying with common macronutrient intake recommendations. In contrast, total water intake (mean: 1216.7 ml per day) lay below the recommended value for >90% of the children. CONCLUSION: This study provides recent estimates of intake distributions of European children correcting for misreporting as well as for the daily variation in dietary data. These data may help to assess the adequacy of young children's diets in Europe

Raman study of As outgassing and damage induced by ion implantation in Zn-doped GaAs

Abstract : Room temperature micro-Raman investigations of LO phonon and LO phonon-plasmon coupling is used to study the AsAs outgassing mechanism and the disordering effects induced by ion implantation in ZnZn-doped GaAsGaAs with nominal doping level p=7×1018cm−3p=7×1018cm−3. The relative intensity of these two peaks is measured right after rapid vacuum thermal annealings (RVTA) between 200 and 450°C450°C, or after ion implantations carried out at energies of 40keV40keV with P+P+, and at 90 and 170keV170keV with As+As+. These intensities provide information regarding the Schottky barrier formation near the sample surface. Namely, the Raman signature of the depletion layer formation resulting from AsAs desorption is clearly observed in samples submitted to RVTA above 300°C300°C, and the depletion layer depths measured in ion implanted GaAs:ZnGaAs:Zn are consistent with the damage profiles obtained through Monte Carlo simulations. Ion channeling effects, maximized for a tilt angle set to 45°45° during implantation, are also investigated. These results show that the Raman spectroscopy is a versatile tool to study the defects induced by postgrowth processes in multilayered heterostructures, with probing range of about 100nm100nm in GaAsGaAs-based materials

Generating business process recommendations with a population-based meta-heuristic

In order to provide both guidance and flexibility to users during process execution, recommendation systems have been proposed. Existing recommendation systems mainly focus on offering recommendation according to the process optimization goals (time, cost…). In this paper we offer a new approach that primarily focuses on maximizing the flexibility during execution. This means that by following the recommendations, the user retains maximal flexibility to divert from them later on. This makes it possible to handle (possibly unknown) emerging constraints during execution. The main contribution of this paper is an algorithm that uses a declarative process model to generate a set of imperative process models that can be used to generate recommendations

Effect of Inoculation with Rhizobacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Yield of Capsicum chinense Jacquin

We evaluated the effect of two rhizobacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum brasilense) and a commercial product containing multiple strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and an NPK fertiliser on the growth and yield of habanero chilli (Capsicum chinense Jacquin). All treatments were applied as single or combined inoculants, under nursery and field conditions, in a completely randomised design. The biofertilisers were applied to the roots by coating or dipping, with the inoculants in a solid or liquid support, respectively. At 30 days after inoculation, populations of 2.5×106 to 1.3×106 cfu g soil−1 of A. brasilense and 10.3×105 to 2.6×105 of A. chroococcum were detected in the rhizosphere of the crop. The prevalence of colonisation of plants inoculated with AMF ranged from 35 to 57%, with the greatest values recorded for the treatment involving single biofertilisation by root coating. In the nursery phase, single biofertilisation promoted a higher growth and nutrient content in the crop than combined biofertilisation. However, in the field phase the combined biofertilisation increased the nutrient content of the plant leaves, which was significantly greater than observed in the NPK treatment. The highest yields were recorded for the treatments involving a single inoculation of A. chroococcum and for those with the multi-strain of AMF, with average values of 2.5 and 2.3 kg plant−1 respectively, compared with 1.0 kg plant−1 obtained with the treatment in which NPK fertiliser was applied

Nucleotide analysis of pome fruit virus isolates detected in apple and pear samples from Italy and India

In the framework of a joint research project between Italy and India field surveys were done in different pear and apple growing areas of North of India and Central and Southern Italy. Samples were collected from plants belonging to common and local varieties and molecularly analyzed for the detection of the main pome fruit viruses (Apple stem pitting virus, Apple stem groving virus, Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus, Apple mosaic virus) by using harmonized diagnostic protocols.The sequence homology was evaluated and a phylogenetic tree was built, on the basis of which, the Indian isolate of ASGV showed maximum sequence identity at a nucleotide level to Italian isolates when analyzed by BLAST (http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi). Similarly, a maximum identity, ranging from 90-93%, was found for the Italian isolates of ASPV and pear and apple isolates from Poland, while a sequence homology ranging from 83 to86% was observed within the Indian isolates of ASPV. Multiple alignment of the Indian pome ACLSV-isolates indicate maximum variability in the middle portion while the first 140 nucleotides are maximally conserved and shared a percent identity at nucleotide level of 86-100% with the Italian isolates.The ApMV Indian isolates showed maximum (92-99%) sequence homology to the Korean isolate (AY125977) from apple. However, a comparison with other isolates from different host plant species revealed a clustering of Indian isolates with a Czech isolate from pear and a sequence homology of 84 to 98%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sequence variability was independent to the geographical origin or the host for all the investigated viruses.Keywords: ACLSV, ASPV, ASGV, ApMV, sequences analysis, Italy, India