A single machine on-time-in-full scheduling problem

A relevant feature in many production contexts is flexibility. This becomes a key issue, for instance, in the case of third-party cosmetics manufacturing [1]. There, the core business is the production of high quality, fully custom orders in limited batches. Competition is pushing companies to aggressive commercial policies, involving tight delivery dates. At the same time, the custom nature of the orders makes it impossible to keep materials in stock; lead times are always uncertain, often making release dates tight as well, and ultimately yielding unexpected peaks of production loads

Mathematical Programming Algorithms for Spatial Cloaking

We consider a combinatorial optimization problem for spatial information cloaking. The problem requires computing one or several disjoint arborescences on a graph from a predetermined root or subset of candidate roots, so that the number of vertices in the arborescences is minimized but a given threshold on the overall weight associated with the vertices in each arborescence is reached. For a single arborescence case, we solve the problem to optimality by designing a branch-and-cut exact algorithm. Then we adapt this algorithm for the purpose of pricing out columns in an exact branch-and-price algorithm for the multiarborescence version. We also propose a branch-and-price-based heuristic algorithm, where branching and pricing, respectively, act as diversification and intensification mechanisms. The heuristic consistently finds optimal or near optimal solutions within a computing time, which can be three to four orders of magnitude smaller than that required for exact optimization. From an application point of view, our computational results are useful to calibrate the values of relevant parameters, determining the obfuscation level that is achieved

Rare-earth doped glasses and light managing in solar cells

Glasses doped with rare earth elements possess unique photoluminescence properties. They find application in several devices, such as lasers, optical amplifiers, and sensors. More recently, rare-earth doped glass thin films have been the subject of investigation for the development of frequency-converting layers able to increase the efficiency of silicon solar cells. Another approach to the improvement of the performance of a solar cell is based on the capture of a larger flux of light by the detector, which can be obtained by surface texture, plasmonics, or waveguide structures. Here, the recent advances in this area will be briefly reviewed

Acoustic complexity indices reveal the acoustic communities of the old-growth Mediterranean forest of Sasso Fratino Integral Natural Reserve (Central Italy)

The Sasso Fratino Integral Natural Reserve (Central Italy), a rare example of climax Mediterranean forest, provides an extraordinary opportunity to create an important soundscape reference of old-growth forest. In this study, we describe the soundscape of three localities (Lama, Sasso 950, Sasso 1400) representative of a gradient of variety and complexity of habitats, recorded during the period 10 May to 9 June 2017. Our results reveal temporal partitioning into acoustically homogeneous periods across 24 h suggesting that soniferous species (mainly birds) adopt ecological routines in which their acoustic activity is organized according to specific transient physiological needs. We processed multi-temporal aggregates of 1, 5, 10, and 15 s recordings and calculated the Acoustic Signature (AS) with four new indices: Ecoacoustic Events (EE), Acoustic Signature Dissimilarity (ASD), and their fractal dimensions (DEE and DASD), derived from the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACI). The use of the EE and ASD greatly improved the AS interpretation, adding further details such as the emergence of a clear sequence of patterns consistent with the daily evolution of the overall soundscape. DEE and DASD confirm the patterns observed using the AS, but provide more clarity and detail about the great acoustic complexity that exists across temporal scales in this old-growth forest. The temporal turnover of different acoustic communities occurs as a result of a gradual shift of different homogenous acoustic properties. We conclude that soniferous species use distinct, species-specific temporal resolutions according to their physiological and ecological needs and that the fractal approach used here provides a novel tool to overcome the difficulties associated with describing multi-temporal acoustic patterns

Diagnostic Value of Prenatal MR Imaging in the Detection of Brain Malformations in Fetuses before the 26th Week of Gestational Age

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Renal Toxicities in Cancer Patients Receiving Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Meta-Analysis

Aim: We performed a meta-analysis of the available clinical trials of immune-checkpoint inhibitors to assess risk differences and relative risks of renal toxicity. Methods: 17 randomized phase III studies were selected, including 10,252 patients. Results: The administration of immune-checkpoint inhibitors resulted in an overall low-grade, high-grade and all-grade renal toxicity Risk Difference of: 0.746% (95% CI 0.629% to 1.15%, p < 0.001—random), 0.61% (95% CI, 0.292–0.929%, p < 0.001—fixed) and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.601–1.85%—random), respectively. The pooled Relative Risk of low-grade, high-grade and all-grade renal toxicity was: 2.185 (95% CI 1.515–3.152—fixed), 2.610 (95% CI, 1.409–4.833, p = 0.002—fixed) and 2.473 (95% CI, 1.782–3.431, p < 0.001—fixed), respectively. An increased risk of renal toxicity was evident in some subgroups more than others. Conclusion: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of renal toxicity

Magnetodielectric coupling of a polar organic-inorganic hybrid Cr(II) phosphonate

Cr[(H(3)N-(CH(2))(2)-PO(3))(Cl)(H(2)O)] represents a rare example of a polar organic-inorganic hybrid material that exhibits a canted antiferromagnetic order below T(N)=5.5 K. The unusual coexistence of a polar crystal structure and magnetic order triggered our investigation of the magnetodielectric coupling. The coupling is evidenced by an anomaly in the temperature dependence of the dielectric constant epsilon below the Neel temperature. The magnetocapacitance is enhanced by one order of magnitude below T(N). The main characteristics of the magnetodielectic response are interpreted by Landau theoretical coupling terms

Imaging of a Case of Extramedullary Solitary Plasmacytoma of the Trachea

We describe a case of extramedullary tracheal plasmacytoma that was incidentally discovered in a 73-year-old man on a PET scan performed for assessing the extent of colon cancer. CT scan showed the tumor; multiplanar reformation coupled with virtual bronchoscopy allowed proper treatment planning. The tracheal tumor was resected during rigid bronchoscopy. Relevant investigations excluded multiple myeloma. Follow-up CT showed persistent thickening of the tracheal wall, but there has been no recurrence after one-year followup

Variability of Forebrain Commissures in Callosal Agenesis: A Prenatal MR Imaging Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Agenesis of the corpus callosum, even when isolated, may be characterized by anatomic variability. The aim of this study was to describe the types of other forebrain commissures in a large cohort of randomly enrolled fetuses with apparently isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum at prenatal MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All fetuses with apparent isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum undergoing prenatal MR imaging from 2004 to 2014, were evaluated for the presence of the anterior or a vestigial hippocampal commissure assessed in consensus by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists. RESULTS: Overall, 62 cases of agenesis of the corpus callosum were retrieved from our data base. In 3/62 fetuses (4.8%), no forebrain commissure was visible at prenatal MR imaging, 23/62 fetuses (37.1%) presented with only the anterior commissure, and 20/62 fetuses (32.3%) showed both the anterior commissure and a residual vestigial hippocampal commissure, whereas in the remaining 16/62 fetuses (25.8%), a hybrid structure merging a residual vestigial hippocampal commissure and a rudiment of the corpus callosum body was detectable. Postnatal MR imaging, when available, confirmed prenatal forebrain commissure findings. CONCLUSIONS: Most fetuses with apparent isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum showed at least 1 forebrain commissure at prenatal MR imaging, and approximately half of fetuses also had a second commissure: a vestigial hippocampal commissure or a hybrid made of a hippocampal commissure and a rudimentary corpus callosum body. Whether such variability is the result of different genotypes and whether it may have any impact on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome remains to be assessed. AC : anterior commissure ACC : agenesis of the corpus callosum CC : corpus callosum GA : gestational age HC : hippocampal commissure HS : hybrid structur