Crossing genetic and swarm intelligence algorithms to generate logic circuits

Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are adaptive heuristic search algorithm based on the evolutionary ideas of natural selection and genetic. The basic concept of GAs is designed to simulate processes in natural system necessary for evolution, specifically those that follow the principles first laid down by Charles Darwin of survival of the fittest. On the other hand, Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a population based stochastic optimization technique inspired by social behavior of bird flocking or fish schooling. PSO shares many similarities with evolutionary computation techniques such as GAs. The system is initialized with a population of random solutions and searches for optima by updating generations. However, unlike GA, PSO has no evolution operators such as crossover and mutation. In PSO, the potential solutions, called particles, fly through the problem space by following the current optimum particles. PSO is attractive because there are few parameters to adjust. This paper presents hybridization between a GA algorithm and a PSO algorithm (crossing the two algorithms). The resulting algorithm is applied to the synthesis of combinational logic circuits. With this combination is possible to take advantage of the best features of each particular algorithm.

Networking as a route for corporate foresight in SMEs

Paper presented at the 1st Winter School of PhD Programme on Technology Assessment on the December 6th and 7th, 2010, at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa campus of Caparica (Portugal). A final version was developed for the unit “Project III” of the same PhD programme on Technology Assessment at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 2010-11 under the supervision of Prof. António Brandão Moniz

Long term (five-year) survival following radical surgical treatment plus adjuvant chemotherapy (FAM) in advanced gastric cancer: a controlled study

Several drugs and their associations are being used for adjuvant or complementary chemotherapy with the aim of improving results of gastric cancer treatment. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of these drugs on nutrition and on survival rate after radical treatment of 53 patients with gastric cancer in stage III of the TNM classification. A control group including 28 patients who had only undergone radical resection was compared to a group of 25 patients who underwent the same operative technique followed by adjuvant polychemotherapy with FAM (5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin, and mitomycin C). In this latter group, chemotherapy toxicity in relation to hepatic, renal, cardiologic, neurological, hematologic, gastrointestinal, and dermatological functions was also studied. There was no significant difference on admission between both groups in relation to gender, race, macroscopic tumoral type of tumor according to the Borrmann classification, location of the tumor in the stomach, length of the gastric resection, or response to cutaneous tests on delayed sensitivity. Chemotherapy was started on average, 2.3 months following surgical treatment. Clinical and laboratory follow-up of all patients continued for 5 years. The following conclusions were reached: 1) The nutritional status and incidence of gastrointestinal manifestation were similar in both groups; 2) There was no occurrence of cardiac, renal, neurological, or hepatic toxicity or death due to the chemotherapeutic method per se; 3) Dermatological alterations and hematological toxicity occurred exclusively in patients who underwent polychemotherapy; 4) There was no significant difference between the rate and site of tumoral recurrence, the disease-free interval, or the survival rate of both study groups; 5) Therefore, we concluded, after a 5-year follow-up, chemotherapy with the FAM regimen did not increase the survival rate.

Gestão de fluxos de pessoas num serviço hospitalar

Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia Industrial (área de especialização em Gestão Industrial)

Prophylaxie de l'endocardite infectieuse : apport du modèle expérimental

Il est admis que l'endocardite infectieuse devrait faire l'objet d'une prophylaxie antibiotique du fait d'une morbidité et d'une mortalité non négligeables. Le choix de cette prophylaxie repose sur l'identification (i) des patients à risque, (ii) des interventions médico-chirurgicales pouvant provoquer une bactériémie, (iii) du régime prophylactique le plus efficace et (iv) du rapport entre le risque des effets secondaires des médicaments et celui de développer une endocardite infectieuse. Les patients à risque et les interventions médico-chirurgicales provoquant une bactériémie ont été identifiés par des études cliniques. En revanche, l'efficacité de la prophylaxie n'est fondée que sur les résultats de modèles animaux. L'expérimentation animale a contribué à une meilleure connaissance des mécanismes de pathogenèse de l'endocardite infectieuse. Elle a permis de comprendre le mode d'action des antibiotiques dans la prévention des endocardites infectieuses et de jeter les bases d'une antibioprophylaxie raisonnée et adaptée aux différents patients à risque. It is commonly agreed that infectious endocarditis should be handled by antibiotic prophylaxis whenever possible because of its significant morbidity and mortality rate. The choice of the type of prophylaxis depends on the identification (i) of the patients with risk factors (ii), of medico surgical procedures possibly causing bacteremia (iii), of the most efficient prophylactic program and (iv) of the balance between secondary effects of medication and the risk of developing infectious endocarditis. The patients with risk factors and the medico surgical procedures causing bacteremia have been clearly identified by clinical research, whereas efficiency of prophylaxis is only established on the results of animal models. Animal experimentation contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of infectious endocarditis. It made it possible to understand the functioning of antibiotics in the topic of the prevention of infectious endocarditis and to settle the basis of a judicious antibiotic prophylaxis adapted to the various patients with risk factors.

The daily market for funds in Europe: Has something changed with the EMU?

This paper presents evidence that the existence of deposit and lending facilities combined with an averaging provision for the reserve requirement are powerful tools to stabilize the overnight rate. We reach this conclusion by comparing the behavior of this rate in Germany before and after thestart of Stage III of the EMU. The analysis of the German experience is useful because it allows us to isolate the effects on the overnight rate of these particular instruments of monetary policy. To show that this outcome is a general conclusion and not a particular result of the German market, we develop a theoretical model of reserve management which isable to reproduce our empirical findings.

Extraits de manuscrits de COLBERT.

Contient : Colb. 1548 [lat. 3858 B] : collection de canons ; Colb. 1562 [lat. 4172] : formulaire de lettres pontificales, XIVe-XVe siècle ; Colb. 1701 [lat. 4863] : catalogue en vers des archevêques de Rouen ; Colb. 1713 [lat. 937] : formulaire de la chancellerie des papes d'Avignon ; Colb. 1995 [lat. 4667] : catalogue des rois goths ; Colb. 2052 [lat. 2259] : bulles et diplômes du XIIIe siècle ; Colb. 2089 [lat. 4241] : traité de Jean Schadlant sur les cardinaux ; Colb. 2104 [lat. 5990] : bulles en faveur des rois de France ; Colb. 2262. [lat. 5244] : martyrologe de l'église du Puy ; Colb. 2275 [lat. 9996] : registre de la sénéchaussée de Carcassonne ; Colb. 2446 [lat. 8567] : Etienne de Saint-Georges ; Colb. 2479 [lat. 1772] : « planctus in obitum Constantii Luxoviensis » ; Colb. 2509 [lat. 5294] : miracles de saint Mansuy ; Colb. 2546 [lat. 5373 A] : procès de canonisation de Philippe, archevêque de Bourges ; Colb. 2576 [lat. 1458] : « Gesta Romanorum pontificum » ; Colb. 2578 [lat. 4955] : catalogues épiscopaux ; Colb. 2607 [lat. 673] : extrait de Guibert de Nogent ; Colb. 2835 [lat. 4991 A] : Aimeri de Peyrat ; Colb. 2958 [lat. 5302] : lettre de Jésus-Christ tombée du ciel ; Colb. 3126 [lat. 5954] : traités entre les rois de France et d'Angleterre ; Colb. 3280 [lat. 1745] : « Herberti, De hereticis » ; Colb. 3352 [lat. 8121 A] : satire de Garnier de Rouen ; Colb. 3969 [lat. 6042] : catalogues épiscopaux de la province de Reims ; Colb. 4001 [lat. 7185] : « Arithmomachia » ; Colb. 4047 [lat. 3881] : recueil de canons ; Colb. 4064 [lat. 1682] : recueil de décrétales ; Colb. 4085 [lat. 2731 A] : lettre d'Alcuin ; Colb. 4305 et 4309 [lat. 4280 AA et 2240] : traité contre les hérétiques ; Colb. 4374 [lat. 4889] : chronique d'Ekkehard ; Colb. 4467 [lat. 4350] : lettres de Boniface VIII ; Colb. 4799 [lat. 3555] : recueil d'Exempla ; Colb. 4822 [lat. 8654] : formulaire de Boncompagni ; Colb. 4967 [fr. 5909] : pièces relatives au règne de Charles III ; Colb. 5016 [lat. 2498] : vie de sainte Hélène ; Colb. 5080 [lat. 11015] : chartes de Narbonne ; Colb. 5222 [lat. 2858] : pièces concernant la marche d'Espagne ; Notes écrites par François Bohier, évêque de Saint-Malo [1535-1569] sur les feuillets blancs d'un pontifical ; Chartes de Philippe-Auguste pour Baudouin, comte de Flandre, 1195 et 1200 [Delisle, nos 447 et 579], d'après les originaux ; Bulle de Jean XXII, 7 juillet 1316, relative à la division du diocèse de Toulouse ; Fragment de synode sénonais de la fin du Xe siècle, d'après l'original ; Lettre d'Alcuin, feuillet mutilé d'un ms. du IXe siècle, avec transcription (cf. Bibl. de l'Ecole des chartes, t. XLII, p. 8-10)

Planning, Developing, and Implementing the Iowa Pavement Marking Management System (IPMMS): Phases I and II, 2006

With an annual pavement marking program of approximately $2 million and another $750 thousand invested in maintenance of durable markings each year, the Iowa DOT is seeking every opportunity to provide all-year markings staying in acceptable condition under all weather conditions. The goal of this study is to analyze existing pavement marking practices and to develop a prototype Pavement Marking Management System (PMMS). This report documents the first two phases of a three-phase research project. Phase I includes an overview of the Iowa DOT’s existing practices and a literature review regarding pavement marking practices in other states. Based on this information, a work plan was developed for Phases II and III of this study. Phase II organized the key components necessary to develop a prototype PMMS for the Iowa DOT. The two primary components are (1) performance/life cycle curves for pavement marking products, and (2) an application matrix tailored to the pavement marking products and roadway and environmental conditions faced by the Iowa DOT. Both components will continue to be refined and tailored to Iowa materials and conditions as more performance data becomes available.

Iowa In Motion: State Transportation Plan, 1997

What is Iowa in Motion? The Iowa Department of Transportation is continuing the journey to develop Iowa’s future transportation system. This ongoing planning process, known as Iowa in Motion, was developed in response to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and Iowa’s changing transportation needs. The completion of Parts I, II and III of Iowa in Motion has led to development of this State Transportation Plan. Part IV includes activities, both current and future, to support the plan. This State Transportation Plan represents the thoughts and concerns of thousands of Iowans. Individuals, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), regional planning affiliations (RPAs), associations and organizations have become involved and have made recommendations concerning which direction should be followed regarding transportation investments. This plan represents their extensive input into the Iowa in Motion process and consensus building as we moved towards adoption of this State Transportation Plan. The adopted plan serves as a guide for development of transportation policies, goals, objectives, initiatives and investment decisions through the year 2020.

Highway Maintenance Concept Vehicle Final Report: Phase Three, 2001

This report documents Phase III of a four-phase project. The goals of the project are to study the feasibility of using advanced technology from other industries to improve he efficiency and safety of winter highway maintenance vehicle operations, and to provide travelers with the level of service defined by policy during the winter season at the least cost to the taxpayers. The results of the first phase of the research were documented in the Concept Highway Maintenance Vehicle Final Report: Phase One dated April 1997, which describes the desirable functions of a concept maintenance vehicle and evaluates its feasibility. Phase I concluded by establishing the technologies that would be assembled and tested on the prototype vehicles in Phase II. The primary goals of phase II were to install the selected technologies on the prototype winter maintenance vehicles and to conduct proof of concept in advance of field evaluations planned for Phase III. This Phase III final report documents the work completed since the end of Phase II. During this time period, the Phase III work plan was completed and the redesigned friction meter was field tested. A vendor meeting was held to discuss future private sector participation and the new design for the Iowa vehicle. In addition, weather and roadway condition data were collected from the roadway weather information systems at selected sites in Iowa and Minnesota, for comparison to the vehicles' onboard temperature sensors. Furthermore, the team received new technology, such as the mobile Frensor unit, for bench testing and later installation.

Access Management Research and Awareness Program : Phase IV, 1999

Access management involves balancing the dual roles that roadways must play - through travel and access to property and economic activity. When these roles are not in proper balance, the result is a roadway system that functions sub-optimally. Arterial routes that have a too high driveway density and provide overly extensive access to property have high crash rates and begin to suffer in terms of traffic operations. Such routes become congested, delays increase, and mean travel speeds decline. The Iowa access management research and awareness project has had four distinct phases. Phase I involved a detailed review of the extensive national access management literature so lessons learned elsewhere could be applied in Iowa. In Phase II original case study research was conducted in Iowa. Phase III of the project concentrated on outreach and education about access management. Phase IV of the Iowa access management project extended the work conducted during Phases II and III. The main work products for Phase IV were as follows: 1) three additional before and after case studies, illustrating the impacts of various access management treatments on traffic safety, traffic operations, and business vitality; 2) an access management handbook aimed primarily at local governments in Iowa; 3) a modular access management toolkit with brief descriptions of various access management treatments and considerations; and 4) an extensive outreach plan aimed at getting the results of Phases I through IV of the project out to diverse audiences in Iowa and elsewhere.

Regulated deficit irrigation and tommy atkins mango orchard productivity under microsprinkling in brazilian semi arid

This study aimed to test controlled levels of water deficiency in soil in mango trees, under microsprinkling irrigation, in semi-arid conditions, and to evaluate its effect in the productivity and fruits quality. The deficits were applied in the phases I, II and III of growth of the fruit, during the productive cycles of the mango tree in 2006 and 2007. The experiment in both cases was arranged in an entirely random design with 10 treatments and 3 repetitions, in the year I, and with 8 treatments and 3 repetitions in the year II. The values of soil water potential, of the treatments submitted to regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), were placed in the range of 0 to -0.011 MPa, showing that the soil humidity varied between the saturation and the field capacity, not characterizing deficit water condition. The average values of stem water potential (Ψstem) varied between -0.90 and -1.74 MPa, evidencing significant effect (p <0.05) just for T1 (without irrigation), T7 and T8 (RDI with 30% of the ETc in the phases II and III, respectively). Through the variance analysis, significant differences were not verified among productivity, number of fruits per plant and size of the fruit, in none of the experiments, what indicates the possibility of reduction of the water use in the irrigation of the mango tree without significant losses of productivity and fruit quality.

c-Myc protein expression is not an independent prognostic predictor in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

The c-myc protein is known to regulate the cell cycle, and its down-regulation can lead to cell death by apoptosis. The role of c-myc protein as an independent prognostic determinant in cervical cancer is controversial. In the present study, a cohort of 220 Brazilian women (mean age 53.4 years) with FIGO stage I, II and III (21, 28 and 51%, respectively) cervical squamous cell carcinomas was analyzed for c-myc protein expression using immunohistochemistry. The disease-free survival and relapse-rate were analyzed using univariate (Kaplan-Meier) survival analysis for 116 women who completed the standard FIGO treatment and were followed up for 5 years. Positive c-myc staining was detected in 40% of carcinomas, 29% being grade 1, 9% grade 2, and 2% grade 3. The distribution of positive c-myc according to FIGO stage was 19% (17 women) in stage I, 33% (29) in stage II, and 48% (43) in stage III of disease. During the 60-month follow-up, disease-free survival in univariate (Kaplan-Meier) survival analysis (116 women) was lower for women with c-myc-positive tumors, i.e., 60.5, 47.5 and 36.6% at 12, 36, and 60 months, respectively (not significant). The present data suggest that immunohistochemical demonstration of c-myc does not possess any prognostic value independent of FIGO stage, and as such is unlikely to be a useful prognostic marker in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Sanction pragmatique de sa majesté le roi d'Espagne, ayant force de loi, portant ordre à tous les Religieux de la Compagnie de Jésus de sortir de ses royaumes...

[Acte royal. 1767-04-02]

Mémoires diplomatiques et politiques. (1598-1624).

Contient : « Relation de ce qui se passa à la Conférence pour la paix, à Vervins, l'an 1598, depuis le sixiesme febvrier jusques au premier may, par le secrétaire du cardinal de Florence, légat a latere du pape Clément VIII à ladicle Conférence ; ceste traduction en françois est pour suppléer aux fautes qui se trouvent à la coppie en italien. » [Cf. Lelong, Bibliothèque historique de la France, t. III, n° 29358.] ; « Discours de [Michel] THÉVENIN, secrétaire d'Estat de Charles III, duc de Lorraine, mis par escript l'an 1624, par lequel il s'efforce de monstrer que les masles de la Maison de Lorraine doivent estre préférez aux filles et autres femelles plus proches en degré, en la succession des duchez de Lorraine et de Bar, et que ces duchez sont de la souveraineté de l'Empire d'Alemagne, et de mesme nature que la pluspart des duchez et comtez qui en relèvent. » [Cf. Lelong, Bibliothèque historique de la France, t. II, n° 29015.]