Rule-based production planning in flexible manufacturing systems

Production planning in flexible manufacturing may require the solution of a large-scale discrete-event dynamic stochastic optimization problem, due to the complexity of the system to be optimized, and to the occurrence of discrete events (new orders and hard failures). The production planning problem is here approached for a multistage multipart-type manufacturing shop, where each work cell can share its processing time among the different types of parts. The solution of this problem is obtained by an open-loop-feedback control strategy, updated each time a new event occurs. At each event time, two coupled problems are solved: 1) a product-order scheduling problem, conditioned on estimated values of the production capacities of all component work cells; and 2) a production-capacity planning problem, conditioned on predefined sequences of the product orders to be processed. In particular, the article aims at defining a production planning procedure that integrates both analytical tools, derived from mathematical programming, and knowledge-based rules, coming from experience. The objective is to formulate a hybrid (knowledge-based/analytical) planning architecture, and to analyze its use for multicell multipart-type manufacturing systems.     

Changes in drinking water selenium and mortality for coronary disease in a residential cohort

In a part of the municipal territory of Reggio Emilia, northern Italy, selenium in drinking water decreased from 7 μg/L to less than 1 μg/L. In a cohort of 4419 individuals, previously exposed for at least 5 yr to the drinking water with higher selenium content, the 7-yr temporal distribution of deaths for coronary disease and for stroke was analyzed to examine a possible relationship with changes in drinking water selenium. From January 1986 until August 1988, when tap water selenium was 7 μg/L, deaths for coronary disease were one in males and two in females. After the decrease in drinking water selenium, 21 and 10 coronary deaths were observed, respectively, in males and in females from September 1988 to December 1992. No significant difference in the temporal distribution of stroke deaths was observed both in males and in females. Even if an effect of chance and aging in the temporal distribution of coronary deaths may not be excluded, findings of the study seem to be consistent with the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of selenium on coronary disease mortality.     

Two Aspects of Play-fighting in a Captive Group of Oriental Small-clawed Otters Amblonyx cinerea

Book reviewed in this article: Bücher/Books: Barnard, C. J. (1983): Animal behaviour: ecology and evolution (Verhalten der Tiere: Ökologie und Evolution). Gwynne, D. T., and G. K. Morris, eds. (1983): Orthopteran mating systems. Brian, M. V. (1983): Social insects, ecology and behavioural biology (Soziale Insekten: Ökologie, Lebensweise, Verhalten). Hasler, H. D., und A. T. Scholl (1983): Olfactory imprinting and homing in salmon (Duftprägung und Heimfinden bei Lachsen). Papi, F., and H. G. Wallraff, eds. (1982): Avian navigation (Orientierungsverhalten von Vögeln). Simons, D. (1984): Problemverständnis und Problemlöseverhalten bei Primaten (Cognitive skills and problem solving in primates). Wolf, G., und J. Hess (1983): Seele oder Programm? (Soul or program?). Koenig, O. (1980): Tier und Mensch (Animals and men). Rensch, B. (1979): Lebensweg eines Biologen in einem turbulenten Jahrhundert (Life of a biologist in a troublesome century). Herter, K. (1979): Begegnungen mit Menschen und Tieren. Erinnerungen eines Zoologen 1891–1978 (Memories of a zoologist). Mohr, H. (1983): Biologische Wurzeln der Ethik (The natural roots of ethics).     

Production and targeting of the Brucella abortus antigen L7/L12 in Lactococcus lactis: a first step towards food-grade live vaccines against brucellosis

Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular gram-negative bacterial pathogen that infects humans and animals by entry mainly through the digestive tract. B. abortus causes abortion in pregnant cattle and undulant fever in humans. The immunogenic B. abortus ribosomal protein L7/L12 is a promising candidate antigen for the development of oral live vaccines against brucellosis, using food-grade lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a carrier. The L7/L12 gene was expressed in Lactococcus lactis, the model LAB, under the nisin-inducible promoter. Using different signals, L7/L12 was produced in cytoplasmic, cell-wall-anchored, and secreted forms. Cytoplasmic production of L7/L12 gave a low yield, estimated at 0.5 mg/liter. Interestingly, a secretable form of this normally cytoplasmic protein via fusion with a signal peptide resulted in increased yield of L7/L12 to 3 mg/liter; secretion efficiency (SE) was 35%. A fusion between the mature moiety of the staphylococcal nuclease (Nuc) and L7/L12 further increased yield to 8 mg/liter. Fusion with a synthetic propeptide (LEISSTCDA) previously described as an enhancer for heterologous protein secretion in L. lactis (Y. Le Loir, A. Gruss, S. D. Ehrlich, and P. Langella, J. Bacteriol. 180:1895-1903, 1998) raised the yield to 8 mg/liter and SE to 50%. A surface-anchored L7/L12 form in L. lactis was obtained by fusing the cell wall anchor of Streptococcus pyogenes M6 protein to the C-terminal end of L7/L12. The fusions described allow the production and targeting of L7/L12 in three different locations in L. lactis. This is the first example of a B. abortus antigen produced in a food-grade bacterium and opens new perspectives for alternative vaccine strategies against brucellosis.     

Associations between Lifetime Traumatic Events and Subsequent Chronic Physical Conditions: A Cross-National,Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Associations between lifetime traumatic event (LTE) exposures and subsequent physical ill-health are well established but it has remained unclear whether these are explained by PTSD or other mental disorders. This study examined this question and investigated whether associations varied by type and number of LTEs, across physical condition outcomes, or across countries.

Methods

Cross-sectional, face-to-face household surveys of adults (18+) were conducted in 14 countries (n = 38, 051). The Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed lifetime LTEs and DSM-IV mental disorders. Chronic physical conditions were ascertained by self-report of physician''s diagnosis and year of diagnosis or onset. Survival analyses estimated associations between the number and type of LTEs with the subsequent onset of 11 physical conditions, with and without adjustment for mental disorders.

Findings

A dose-response association was found between increasing number of LTEs and odds of any physical condition onset (OR 1.5 [95% CI: 1.4–1.5] for 1 LTE; 2.1 [2.0–2.3] for 5+ LTEs), independent of all mental disorders. Associations did not vary greatly by type of LTE (except for combat and other war experience), nor across countries. A history of 1 LTE was associated with 7/11 of the physical conditions (ORs 1.3 [1.2–1.5] to 1.7 [1.4–2.0]) and a history of 5+ LTEs was associated with 9/11 physical conditions (ORs 1.8 [1.3–2.4] to 3.6 [2.0–6.5]), the exceptions being cancer and stroke.

Conclusions

Traumatic events are associated with adverse downstream effects on physical health, independent of PTSD and other mental disorders. Although the associations are modest they have public health implications due to the high prevalence of traumatic events and the range of common physical conditions affected. The effects of traumatic stress are a concern for all medical professionals and researchers, not just mental health specialists.     

Wing size but not wing shape is related to migratory behavior in a soaring bird

Both wing size and wing shape affect the flight abilities of birds. Intra and inter‐specific studies have revealed a pattern where high aspect ratio and low wing loading favour migratory behaviour. This, however, have not been studied in soaring migrants. We assessed the relationship between the wing size and shape and the characteristics of the migratory habits of the turkey vulture Cathartes aura, an obligate soaring migrant. We compared wing size and shape with migration strategy among three fully migratory, one partially migratory and one non‐migratory (resident) population distributed across the American continent. We calculated the aspect ratio and wing loading using wing tracings to characterize the wing morphology. We used satellite‐tracking data from the migratory populations to calculate distance, duration, speed and altitude during migration. Wing loading, but not aspect ratio, differed among the populations, segregating the resident population from the completely migratory ones. Unlike what has been reported in species using flapping flight during migration, the migratory flight parameters of turkey vultures were not related to the aspect ratio. By contrast, wing loading was related to most flight parameters. Birds with lower wing loading flew farther, faster, and higher during their longer journeys. Our results suggest that wing morphology in this soaring species enables lower‐cost flight, through low wing‐loading, and that differences in the relative sizes of wings may increase extra savings during migration. The possibility that wing shape is influenced by foraging as well as migratory flight is discussed. We conclude that flight efficiency may be improved through different morphological adaptations in birds with different flight mechanisms.     

Fast energy-aware OLSR routing in VANETs by means of a parallel evolutionary algorithm

This work tackles the problem of reducing the power consumption of the OLSR routing protocol in vehicular networks. Nowadays, energy-aware and green communication protocols are important research topics, specially when deploying wireless mobile networks. This article introduces a fast automatic methodology to search for energy-efficient OLSR configurations by using a parallel evolutionary algorithm. The experimental analysis demonstrates that significant improvements over the standard configuration can be attained in terms of power consumption, with no noteworthy loss in the QoS.     

Bisphosphonates derived from fatty acids are potent inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase

Studies on the mode of action of a series of bisphosphonates derived from fatty acids, which had previously proved to be potent inhibitors against Trypanosoma cruzi proliferation in in vitro assays, have been performed. Some of these drugs proved to be potent inhibitors against the intracellular form of the parasite, exhibiting IC(50) values at the low micromolar level. As bisphosphonates are FDA clinically approved for treatment of bone resorption disorders, their potential innocuousness makes them good candidates to control tropical diseases.