Ant colony optimisation and local search for bin-packing and cutting stock problems

The Bin Packing Problem and the Cutting Stock Problem are two related classes of NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems. Exact solution methods can only be used for very small instances, so for real-world problems, we have to rely on heuristic methods. In recent years, researchers have started to apply evolutionary approaches to these problems, including Genetic Algorithms and Evolutionary Programming. In the work presented here, we used an ant colony optimization (ACO) approach to solve both Bin Packing and Cutting Stock Problems. We present a pure ACO approach, as well as an ACO approach augmented with a simple but very effective local search algorithm. It is shown that the pure ACO approach can compete with existing evolutionary methods, whereas the hybrid approach can outperform the best-known hybrid evolutionary solution methods for certain problem classes. The hybrid ACO approach is also shown to require different parameter values from the pure ACO approach and to give a more robust performance across different problems with a single set of parameter values. The local search algorithm is also run with random restarts and shown to perform significantly worse than when combined with ACO

Prospeção de marcadores moleculares ligados à apomixia em Panicum maximum Jacq.

Trabalho

Variabilidade genética molecular em híbridos de Panicum maximum Jacq. avaliada por marcadores RAPD

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de caracterizar a diversidade genética molecular em híbridos de P. maximum Jacq. para auxiliar o programa de melhoramento dessa espécie

Identification of a molecular marker linked to apomixis in Brachiaria humidicola (Poaceae)

A bulked segregant analysis using RAPD technique was carried out to identify molecular markers linked to apomixis in a Brachiaria humidicola F1 population that segregated 1 : 1 for the mode of reproduction (apomixis and sexual). A marker related to the apo-locus was found. Segregation data, together with this marker were used to generate a map of the region. This marker was located at 4.61 cM of the target locus, and it can be used in deploying marker-assisted selection for mode of reproduction in the hybrid progenies of this species

Extração de DNA genômico de Brachiaria e Panicum maximum.

bitstream/CNPGC/10572/1/COT79.pd

Identification and classification of Mycobacterium by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Bovine tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the Mycobacterium bovis bacillum, which accounts for significant economic losses in cattle production besides being a public health threat. Our purpose is to establish MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization –Time-of-Flight) mass spectrometry method to identify and classify mycobacteria species, by means of building a specific biomarker library after solid media culture for these microrganims. We have identified 26 different protocols employing MALDI-TOF to identify and classify mycobacteria from solid media culture within 58 articles published since 2010. Four consensus protocols were designed and our results lead to the following cell treatment conditions before MALDI-TOF analysis: heat inactivation at 95ºC for 45 minutes, disruption with zirconia beads and MagNA lyser (Roche) and formic acid 70% and acetonitrile protein extraction

919-8 High-speed Coronary Rotational Atherectomy. Are Angiographic Factors Predictive of Failure, Major Complications or Restenosis? A Multivariate Analysis

In order to determine if angiographic factors are predictive of Failure (F), Major Complications (Me) or Restenosis (R) after Rotational Atherectomy with Rotablator, 16 angiographic variables were analyzed in 243 coronary arteries of 228 patients using a multivariate logistic regression technique (quasi Newton method and maximal probability technique).F was defined as the impossibility to complete the procedure; MC as the occurrence of O-wave myocardial infarctiön, in-hospital death or the need for emergency bypass graft surgery; R as recurrent ischemia due to an angiographic reduction of the lumen of the culprit vessel within 6 months following the procedure.Angiographic variables analized were: 1: Vessel treated. 2: Type of obstruction (A-B-C Task Force AHA-ACC). 3: Lesion lenhgth. 4: Lesion eccentricity. 5: Lesion angulation. 6: Lesion calcification. 7: Ostial lesion. 8: Lesion at a bifurcation. 9: Restenosed lesion. 10: Preprocedural stenosis. 11’ Postatherectomy stenosis. 12: Final stenosis. 13: Difficult access. 14: Number of vessels diseased>70% (1 vessel/multiple vessels). 15: Ejection fraction (40%/>40%).16: Arterial diameter (<3 mm/>3 mm).Primary success rate was 95.5% (232/243 arteries) and MC rate was 1.7% (infarction 2 cases and coronary surgery 2 cases, no deaths were recorded). F occurred in 6 cases.None of the covariates analized was statistically significant for F or MC. R was observed in 28.3% of cases and was 1.86 times more likely in longer lesions (p<0.03) and 2.54 times more likely in non calcified lesions (p<0.04). When lesion length and the presence of calcium were associated in a logistic regression manner, the following was obtained:LengthCalciumRestenosis % probability<10mm+6.3%10-20 mm+11.1%>20mm+18.9%<10 mm-14.6%10-20 mm-24.2%>20mm-37.2Conclusions1) The angiographic variables considered were not prediclive of F or Me. 2) Restenosis ocurred more frequenlly in long and non calcified lesions

Variabilidade genética de acessos de Brachiaria humidicola utilizando a técnica de RAPD.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a variabilidade genética em Brachiaria humidicola, 58 acessos que constituem o banco de germoplasma da Embrapa Gado de Corte tiveram seus DNAs extraídos e amplificados utilizando 10 primers de RAPD. Após a análise dos perfis eletroforéticos em gel de agarose 1,5%, uma matriz de similaridade foi gerada utilizando-se o coeficiente de Jaccard e os acessos foram agrupados pelos métodos UPGMA e de Tocher

Expresión del receptor de potencial transitorio tipo 1 (TRPV-1) en placenta humana normal y preeclámptica

La preeclampsia (PE) es un síndrome multisistémico caracterizado por una anormal placentación. Aunque su etiología se desconoce, existen numerosos trabajos que demuestran que esta patología se asocia con la reducción o el anormal funcionamiento de una variedad de proteínas transportadoras. El receptor de potencial transitorio tipo 1 (TRPV-1) es un canal catiónico no selectivo que puede ser activado por múltiples estímulos. Recientemente fue descripto en citotrofoblasto de placenta a término, demostrando su rol como regulador de la apoptosis placentaria. Dada su preferencia por los iones calcio, TRPV-1 puede ser relevante en el proceso de captación de este catión por el sincitiotrofoblasto y participar en el proceso de sincialización. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar la expresión y localización de TRPV-1 en vellosidades de primer trimestre, así como determinar su expresión en placentas preeclámpticas.Facultad de Ciencias Médica