An Investigation of Fuzzy Multiple Heuristic Orderings in the Construction of University Examination Timetables

In this paper, we present an investigation into using fuzzy methodologies to guide the construction of high quality feasible examination timetabling solutions. The provision of automated solutions to the examination timetabling problem is achieved through a combination of construction and improvement. The enhancement of solutions through the use of techniques such as metaheuristics is, in some cases, dependent on the quality of the solution obtained during the construction process. With a few notable exceptions, recent research has concentrated on the improvement of solutions as opposed to focusing on investigating the ‘best’ approaches to the construction phase. Addressing this issue, our approach is based on combining multiple criteria in deciding on how the construction phase should proceed. Fuzzy methods were used to combine three single construction heuristics into three different pair wise combinations of heuristics in order to guide the order in which exams were selected to be inserted into the timetable solution. In order to investigate the approach, we compared the performance of the various heuristic approaches with respect to a number of important criteria (overall cost penalty, number of skipped exams, number of iterations of a rescheduling procedure required and computational time) on twelve well-known benchmark problems. We demonstrate that the fuzzy combination of heuristics allows high quality solutions to be constructed. On one of the twelve problems we obtained lower penalty than any previously published constructive method and for all twelve we obtained lower penalty than when any of the single heuristics were used alone. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the fuzzy approach used less backtracking when constructing solutions than any of the single heuristics. We conclude that this novel fuzzy approach is a highly effective method for heuristically constructing solutions and, as such, has particular relevance to real-world situations in which the construction of feasible solutions is often a difficult task in its own right.

Association of gene expression with sequential proliferation, differentiation and tumor formation in murine skin

Differential gene expression in two established initiation and promotion skin carcinogenesis models during promotion and tumor formation was determined by microarray technology with the purpose of distinguishing the genes more associated with neoplastic transformation from those linked with proliferation and differentiation. The first model utilized dimethylbenz[a]anthracene initiation and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) promotion in the FVB/N mouse, and the second TPA promotion of the Tg.Ac mouse, which is endogenously initiated by virtue of an activated Ha-ras transgene. Comparison of gene expression profiles across the two models identified genes whose altered expression was associated with papilloma formation rather than TPA-induced proliferation and differentiation. DMBA suppressed TPA-induced differentiation which allowed identification of those genes associated more specifically with differentiation rather than proliferation. EASE (Expression Analysis Systemic Explorer) indicated a correlation between muscle-associated genes and skin differentiation, whereas genes involved with protein biosynthesis were strongly correlated with proliferation. For verification the altered expression of selected genes were confirmed by RT-PCR; Carbonic anhydrase 2, Thioredoxin 1 and Glutathione S-transferase omega 1 associated with papilloma formation and Enolase 3, Cystatin 6 and Filaggrin associated with TPA-induced proliferation and differentiation. In situ analysis located the papillomas Glutathione S-transferase omega 1 expression to the proliferating areas of the papillomas. Thus we have identified profiles of differential gene expression associated with the tumorigenesis and promotion stages for skin carcinogenesis in the mouse.

Investigation of the association of BMP gene variants with nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Aims Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The transforming growth factor beta-bone morphogenic protein (BMP) pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The BMP2, BMP4 and BMP7 genes are located near linkage peaks for renal dysfunction, and we hypothesize that genetic polymorphisms in these biological and positional candidate genes may be risk factors for diabetic kidney disease.

Association of airway cathepsin B and S with inflammation in cystic fibrosis.

Irreversible tissue damage within the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung is mediated by proteolytic enzymes during an inflammatory response. Serine proteinases, in particular neutrophil elastase (NE), have been implicated however, members of the cysteine proteinase family may also be involved. The aim of this study was to determine cathepsin B and S levels in cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum and to assess any relationship to recognized markers of inflammation such as sputum NE, interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), urine TNF receptor 1 (TNFr1), plasma IL-6, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Proteinase activities were measured in the sputum of 36 clinically stable CF patients using spectrophotometric and fluorogenic assays. Immunoblots were also used to confirm enzyme activity data. All other parameters were measured by ELISA. Patients had a mean age of 27.2 (8.2) years, FEV. of 1.6 (0.79) L and BMI of 20.7 (2.8). Both cathepsin B and S activities were detected in all samples, with mean concentrations of 18.0 (13.5)?µg/ml and 1.6 (0.88)?µg/ml, respectively and were found to correlate not only with each other but with NE, TNF-a and IL-8 (in all cases .?<?0.05). Airway cathepsin B further correlated with circulatory IL-6 and CRP however, no relationship for either cathepsin was observed with urine TNFr1. This data indicates that cathepsin B and S may have important roles in the pathophysiology of CF lung disease and could have potential as markers of inflammation in future studies. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2010; 45:860–868.

Association of diabetes with age-related macular degeneration in the EUREYE study

Objective: To examine the association between self-reported diabetes history and early or late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the European population.

Association of serum AACT levels and AACT signal polymorphism with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Northern Ireland

alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (AACT) is a serine protease inhibitor that has been associated with amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been reported that AACT serum levels are higher in AD patients than in age and sex matched controls. In addition, polymorphisms in the signal peptide and 5' of the AACT gene have been reported to increase the risk of developing AD, Serum AACT has also been suggested to be associated with cognitive decline in elderly subjects. Our objective was to investigate whether a relationship existed between serum AACT levels, AACT genotypes and risk for AD in a case control association study using 108 clinically well defined late onset AD cases and 108 age and sex matched controls from Northern Ireland. We also wished to determine whether higher serum AACT affected levels of cognition as had been previously reported. Serum AACT levels were found to bet significantly raised in cases compared to controls (t = 3.8, df = 209, p

Intellectual Property management in publicly funded R&D centres—A comparison of university-based and company-based research centres

Recent thinking on open innovation and the knowledge-based economy have stressed the importance of external knowledge sources in stimulating innovation. Policy-makers have recognised this, establishing publicly funded Centres of R&D Excellence with the objective of stimulating industry–science links and localised innovation spillovers. Here, we examine the contrasting IP management practices of a group of 18 university- and company-based R&D centres supported by the same regional programme. Our analysis covers all but one of the Centres supported by the programme and suggests marked contrasts between the IP strategies of the university-based and company-based centres. This suggests the potential for very different types of knowledge spillovers from publicly funded R&D centres based in different types of organisations, and a range of alternative policy approaches to the future funding of R&D centres depending on policy-makers’ objectives.