The energy scheduling problem: Industrial case-study and constraint propagation techniques

This paper deals with production scheduling involving energy constraints, typically electrical energy. We start by an industrial case-study for which we propose a two-step integer/constraint programming method. From the industrial problem we derive a generic problem,the Energy Scheduling Problem (EnSP). We propose an extension of specific resource constraint propagation techniques to efficiently prune the search space for EnSP solving. We also present a branching scheme to solve the problem via tree search.Finally,computational results are provided

Large restricted sumsets in general abelian group

Let A, B and S be three subsets of a finite Abelian group G. The restricted sumset of A and B with respect to S is defined as A\wedge^{S} B= {a+b: a in A, b in B and a-b not in S}. Let L_S=max_{z in G}| {(x,y): x,y in G, x+y=z and x-y in S}|. A simple application of the pigeonhole principle shows that |A|+|B|>|G|+L_S implies A\wedge^S B=G. We then prove that if |A|+|B|=|G|+L_S then |A\wedge^S B|>= |G|-2|S|. We also characterize the triples of sets (A,B,S) such that |A|+|B|=|G|+L_S and |A\wedge^S B|= |G|-2|S|. Moreover, in this case, we also provide the structure of the set G\setminus (A\wedge^S B).Comment: Paper submitted November 15, 2011. To appear European Journal of Combinatorics, special issue in memorian Yahya ould Hamidoune (2013

La consommation est-elle à l'abri des crises boursières ?

L'impact de la bourse sur la consommation des ménages est-il aussi faible que ce que la plupart des études récentes suggèrent ? Plusieurs éléments permettent d'en douter, notamment en cas de crise boursière.

The bHLH transcription factors TSAR1 and TSAR2 regulate triterpene saponin biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula

Plants respond to stresses by producing a broad spectrum of bioactive specialized metabolites. Hormonal elicitors, such as jasmonates, trigger a complex signaling circuit leading to the concerted activation of specific metabolic pathways. However, for many specialized metabolic pathways, the transcription factors involved remain unknown. Here, we report on two homologous jasmonate-inducible transcription factors of the basic helix-loop-helix family, TRITERPENE SAPONIN BIOSYNTHESIS ACTIVATING REGULATOR1 (TSAR1) and TSAR2, which direct triterpene saponin biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula. TSAR1 and TSAR2 are coregulated with and transactivate the genes encoding 3-HYDROXY-3-METHYLGLUTARYL-COENZYME A REDUCTASE1 (HMGR1) and MAKIBISHI1, the rate-limiting enzyme for triterpene biosynthesis and an E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls HMGR1 levels, respectively. Transactivation is mediated by direct binding of TSARs to the N-box in the promoter of HMGR1. In transient expression assays in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) protoplasts, TSAR1 and TSAR2 exhibit different patterns of transactivation of downstream triterpene saponin biosynthetic genes, hinting at distinct functionalities within the regulation of the pathway. Correspondingly, overexpression of TSAR1 or TSAR2 in M. truncatula hairy roots resulted in elevated transcript levels of known triterpene saponin biosynthetic genes and strongly increased the accumulation of triterpene saponins. TSAR2 overexpression specifically boosted hemolytic saponin biosynthesis, whereas TSAR1 overexpression primarily stimulated nonhemolytic soyasaponin biosynthesis. Both TSARs also activated all genes of the precursor mevalonate pathway but did not affect sterol biosynthetic genes, pointing to their specific role as regulators of specialized triterpene metabolism in M. truncatula

Microbial electrocatalysis with Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilm on stainless steel cathodes

Stainless steel and graphite electrodes were individually addressed and polarized at−0.60V vs. Ag/AgCl in reactors filled with a growth medium that contained 25mM fumarate as the electron acceptor and no electron donor, in order to force the microbial cells to use the electrode as electron source. When the reactor was inoculated with Geobacter sulfurreducens, the current increased and stabilized at average values around 0.75Am−2 for graphite and 20.5Am−2 for stainless steel. Cyclic voltammetry performed at the end of the experiment indicated that the reduction started at around −0.30V vs. Ag/AgCl on stainless steel. Removing the biofilm formed on the electrode surface made the current totally disappear, confirming that the G.sulfurreducens biofilm was fully responsible for the electrocatalysis of fumarate reduction. Similar current densities were recorded when the electrodes were polarized after being kept in open circuit for several days. The reasons for the bacteria presence and survival on non-connected stainless steel coupons were discussed. Chronoamperometry experiments performed at different potential values suggested that the biofilm-driven catalysis was controlled by electrochemical kinetics. The high current density obtained, quite close to the redox potential of the fumarate/succinate couple, presents stainless steel as a remarkable material to support biocathodes

Extensive Gene Remodeling in the Viral World: New Evidence for Nongradual Evolution in the Mobilome Network

International audienceComplex nongradual evolutionary processes such as gene remodeling are difficult to model, to visualize, and to investigate systematically. Despite these challenges, the creation of composite (or mosaic) genes by combination of genetic segments from unrelated gene families was established as an important adaptive phenomena in eukaryotic genomes. In contrast, almost no general studies have been conducted to quantify composite genes in viruses. Although viral genome mosaicism has been well-described, the extent of gene mosaicism and its rules of emergence remain largely unexplored. Applying methods from graph theory to inclusive similarity networks, and using data from more than 3,000 complete viral genomes, we provide the first demonstration that composite genes in viruses are 1) functionally biased, 2) involved in key aspects of the arm race between cells and viruses, and 3) can be classified into two distinct types of composite genes in all viral classes. Beyond the quantification of the widespread recombination of genes among different viruses of the same class, we also report a striking sharing of genetic information between viruses of different classes and with different nucleic acid types. This latter discovery provides novel evidence for the existence of a large and complex mobilome network, which appears partly bound by the sharing of genetic information and by the formation of composite genes between mobile entities with different genetic material. Considering that there are around 10E31 viruses on the planet, gene remodeling appears as a hugely significant way of generating and moving novel sequences between different kinds of organisms on Earth

Caracterización clínico-epidemiológica de los pacientes con linfoma en un período de diez años en San Cristóbal

Introduction: The mortality of patients due to lymphoma has increased in comparison with the last decade. Objective: Clinically and epidemiologically characterize patients with lymphomas treated in San Cristobal. Methodological design: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted between January 2007 and December 2017, which included all the patients treated (n = 65) in the oncohematology service of the General Teaching Hospital Comandante Pinares of the municipality of San Cristobal, in the Artemisa province. Results: The group of 60 and more was the most represented with 30 patients (46.2%), mean age of 55.8 ± 16.1 years. The male sex predominated with 20 patients (30.8%). In both types of lymphomas, the male sex was predominant with 10 (26.3%) with Hodgkin's lymphoma and 20 (73.6%) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Nodular sclerosis was the most frequent variant of Hodgkin's lymphoma with 6 (35.3%) cases. Diffuse large cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma predominated with 9 (18.8%) cases. Stages IIA and I of Hodgkin's lymphoma were the most frequent with 5 (29.4%) and 4 (23.5%) respectively. In patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma stage IIA was the most frequent with 13 (20%) patients. The lethality rate of lethality of NHL was 33.8 per 100 patients. Conclusions: The majority of patients presented non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with the male population over sixty years of age being the most affected. The most frequent stages of both varieties were the least advanced, generally of lymph node localization.Introducción: La mortalidad de pacientes por linfoma ha aumentado en comparación con la década pasada. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a los pacientes con linfomas atendidos en San Cristóbal. Diseño metodológico: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo, entre enero de 2007 y diciembre de 2017, que incluyó a todos los pacientes atendidos (n=65) en el servicio de oncohematología del Hospital General Docente Comandante Pinares del municipio San Cristóbal, en la provincia Artemisa. Resultados: El grupo de 60 y más fue el más representado con 30 pacientes (46,2 %), media de edad de 55,8 ± 16,1 años. El sexo masculino predominó con 20 pacientes (30,8 %). En ambos tipos de linfomas el sexo masculino fue el predominante con 10 (26, 3 %) con linfoma de Hodgkin y 20 (73,6 %) con linfoma no Hodgkin. La esclerosis nodular fue la variante más frecuente del linfoma de Hodgkin con 6 (35,3 %) casos. El linfoma no Hodgkin difuso de células grandes predominó con 9 (18,8 %) de casos. Los estadios IIA y el I del linfoma de Hodgkin fueron los más frecuentes con 5 (29,4 %) y 4 (23,5 %) respectivamente. En los pacientes con linfoma no Hodgkin el estadio IIA fue el más frecuente con 13 (20 %) pacientes. El índice de letalidad fue de letalidad del LNH fue de 33,8 por cada 100 pacientes. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes presentaron linfomas no Hodgkin, siendo la población masculina mayor de sesenta años la más afectada. Los estadios más frecuentes de ambas variedades fueron los menos avanzados, generalmente de localización ganglionar