North Central Risk Management Education Center

The North Central Risk Management Education Center has been providing program coordination for extension risk management education in the North Central Region since 2001. During this time, nearly five million dollars has been awarded to public, private and non-profit entities to carry out producer-focused, results-based risk management education programs. The North Central Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Effects of abiotic factors on growth and chemical defenses in cultivated clones of Laurencia dendroidea J. Agardh (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta)

Laurencia dendroidea shows high inter- and intrapopulation variability in the amount of the sesquiterpene elatol, caused by genetic variation as well as environmental factors. To test the independent effect of physical and nutritional conditions, the growth and the levels of elatol in L. dendroidea clones were evaluated under different conditions of temperature, salinity, irradiance, and culture medium in the laboratory. Growth of L. dendroidea was clearly affected by all these factors, but elatol levels were influenced only by temperature and salinity. Better conditions for growth did not produce a similar effect on elatol production in L. dendroidea, contradicting the carbon/nutrient balance and growth/differentiation balance models. On the contrary, severe conditions of temperature and salinity promoted a decrease in elatol levels, as predicted by the environmental stress model. Our results using clones indicated that abiotic factors clearly take part in fostering chemical variations observed in natural populations, in addition to genetic factors, and can promote differential susceptibility of plant specimens to natural enemies.

Exhaled Acetone as a New Biomarker of Heart Failure Severity

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with poor prognosis, and the identification of biomarkers of its severity could help in its treatment. In a pilot study, we observed high levels of acetone in the exhaled breath of patients with HF. The present study was designed to evaluate exhaled acetone as a biomarker of HF diagnosis and HF severity. Methods: Of 235 patients with systolic dysfunction evaluated between May 2009 and September 2010, 89 patients (HF group) fulfilled inclusion criteria and were compared with sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (control group, n = 20). Patients with HF were grouped according to clinical stability (acute decompensated HF [ADHF], n = 59; chronic HF, n = 30) and submitted to exhaled breath collection. Identification of chemical species was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and quantification by spectrophotometry. Patients with diabetes were excluded. Results: The concentration of exhaled breath acetone (EBA) was higher in the HF group (median, 3.7 mu g/L; interquartile range [IQR], 1.69-10.45 mu g/L) than in the control group (median, 0.39 mu g/L; IQR, 0.30-0.79 mu g/L; P < .001) and higher in the ADHF group (median, 7.8 mu g/L; IQR, 3.6-15.2 mu g/L) than in the chronic HF group (median, 1.22 mu g/L; IQR, 0.68-2.19 P < .001). The accuracy and sensitivity of this method in the diagnosis of HF and ADHF were about 85%, a value similar to that obtained with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). EBA levels differed significantly as a function of severity of HF (New York Heart Association classification, P < .001). There was a positive correlation between EBA and BNP (r = 0.772, P < .001). Conclusions: EBA not only is a promising noninvasive diagnostic method of HF with an accuracy equivalent to BNP but also a new biomarker of HF severity. CHEST 2012; 142(2):457-466

The Role of Target Therapies in Schistosomiasis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background: Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (Sch-PAH) may be one of the most prevalent forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) worldwide. However, the clinical and hemodynamical response to specific PAH therapy in Sch-PAH is not known. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of all patients with Sch-PAH who initiated specific PAH treatment between June 2003 and June 2010 in a single PAH reference center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and hemodynamical data were retrospectively collected and evaluated in two periods: baseline and posttreatment. Results: The study population consisted of 12 patients with Sch-PAH. They were treated with phosphodiseterase-5 inhibitors (seven patients), endothelin receptor antagonists (four patients), or combination therapy (one patient). Mean treatment period was 34.9 +/- 15.5 months. Patients with Sch-PAH presented significant improvements in terms of functional class, 6-min walk test distance (439 +/- 85 to 492 +/- 79 m, P = .032), cardiac index (2.66 +/- 0.59 to 3.08 +/- 0.68 L/min/m(2), P = .028), and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (20.7 +/- 11.6 to 15.9 +/- 9 W/m(2), P = .038) with the introduction of specific PAH treatment. Conclusions: We conclude that specific PAH therapy may be of benefit to patients with Sch-PAH, considering clinical, functional, and hemodynamic parameters. CHEST 2012; 141(4):923-928

Proinflammatory and Antiinflammatory Cytokine Levels in Complicated and Noncomplicated Parapneumonic Pleural Effusions

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate a panel of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines in noncomplicated and complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions and to correlate their levels with pleural fluid biochemical parameters. Methods: Serum and pleural effusion were collected from 60 patients with noncomplicated (n = 26) or complicated (n = 34) parapneumonic effusions and assayed for cytologic, biochemical, and proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines. Student t test was used to compare serum and pleural fluid values, Spearman correlation to analyze the relationship between pleural fluid cytokines and biochemical parameters, and accuracy of pleural fluid cytokine levels to determine the optimal cutoff value for identification of complicated effusions. Corrections for multiple comparisons were applied and a P value < .05 was accepted as significant. Results: Serum and pleural fluid cytokine levels of IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) soluble receptor (sR) II were similar between groups. In contrast, complicated effusions had higher levels of pleural fluid IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra), and TNF sRI. Negative correlations were found between pleural fluid glucose with IL-1 beta and TNF sRI and positive correlations between lactic dehydrogenate (LDH) with IL-1 beta, IL-8, and VEGF. Pleural fluid levels of IL-1 beta, IL-1ra, and TNF sRI were more accurate than IL-8, VEGF, IL-10, and TNF sRII in discriminating complicated effusions. Conclusions: Both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokine levels in pleural fluid are elevated in complicated in comparison with noncomplicated parapneumonic pleural effusions, and they correlate with both pleural fluid glucose and LDH levels. IL-1 beta, IL-1ra, and TNF sRI had higher sensitivity and specificity than IL-8, VEGF, IL-10, and TNF sRII in discriminating complicated effusions. CHEST 2012; 141( 1):183-189

PXRF and multivariate statistics analysis of pre-colonial pottery from northeast of Brazil

Portable system of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence was used to determine the elemental composition of 68 pottery fragments from Sambaqui do Bacanga, an archeological site in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil. This site was occupied from 6600 BP until 900 BP. By determining the element chemical composition of those fragments, it was possible to verify the existence of engobe in 43 pottery fragments. Obtained from two-dimensional graphs and hierarchical cluster analysis performed in fragments of stratigraphies from surface and 113-cm level, and 10 to 20, 132 and 144-cm level, it was possible to group these fragments in five distinct groups, according to their stratigraphies. The results of data grouping (two-dimensional graphics) are in agreement with hierarchical cluster analysis by Ward method. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sleep length, working hours and socio-demographic variables are associated with time attending evening classes among working college students

It is the aim of the present study to assess factors associated with time spent in class among working college students. Eighty-two working students from 21 to 26 years old participated in this study. They were enrolled in an evening course of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants answered a questionnaire on living and working conditions. During seven consecutive days, they wore an actigraph, filled out daily activity diaries (including time spent in classes) and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale every three hours from waking until bedtime. Linear regression analyses were performed in order to assess the variables associated with time spent in classes. The results showed that gender, sleep length, excessive sleepiness, alcoholic beverage consumption (during workdays) and working hours were associated factors with time spent in class. Thus, those who spent less time in class were males, slept longer hours, reported excessive sleepiness on Saturdays, worked longer hours, and reported alcohol consumption. The combined effects of long work hours (>40 h/week) and reduced sleep length may affect lifestyles and academic performance. Future studies should aim to look at adverse health effects induced by reduced sleep duration, even among working students who spent more time attending evening classes.

Variantes génicas asociadas a neuroinflamación en la enfermedad de Alzheimer en Canarias

Programa de doctorado: Microbiología clínica y enfermedades infecciosas.

Dispensación de medicamentos para el tratamiento del dolor en oficinas de farmacias comunitarias de la isla de Gran Canaria

[ES] El objetivo general del trabajo fue ampliar los conocimientos sobre el uso de fármacos utilizados en el tratamieno del dolor como los antiinflamatorios no esteroides (AINEs), los opioides y antimigrañosos, princpalmente para esclarecer posibles invonvenientes asociados a una utilización incorrecta. Se diseño y llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal. Mediante un cuestionario previamente elaborado, se entrevistó a 403 pacientes y se obtuvieron datos de 1378 dispensaciones entre 2009 y 2010, desde siete farmacias comunitarias. El análisis de los datos situó a los AINEs como el grupo más destacado en la población estudiada respecto a casi todas las variables que se definieron, con valores máximos en frecuencia de utilización, dispensación sin receta, efectos adversos y otros incovenientes. Su amplio consumo puede estar relacionado con muchos de los efectos adversos especificados por los pacientes encuestados y también con el aumento del uso de otros medicamentos. La información sanitaria no está adaptada a la comunidad estudiada, lo que puede magnificar los problemas e influir sobre la salud y el nivel de satisfacción, mientras la contribución de los AINEs al gasto farmacéutico cada vez está siendo más elevado.

Caratterizzazione di membrane metalliche e ionomeriche per applicazioni energetiche

The work of this thesis has been focused on the characterization of metallic membranes for the hydrogen purification from steam reforming process and also of perfluorosulphonic acid ionomeric (PFSI) membranes suitable as electrolytes in fuel cell applications. The experimental study of metallic membranes was divided in three sections: synthesis of palladium and silver palladium coatings on porous ceramic support via electroless deposition (ELD), solubility and diffusivity analysis of hydrogen in palladium based alloys (temperature range between 200 and 400 °C up to 12 bar of pressure) and permeation experiments of pure hydrogen and mixtures containing, besides hydrogen, also nitrogen and methane at high temperatures (up to 600 °C) and pressures (up to 10 bar). Sequential deposition of palladium and silver on to porous alumina tubes by ELD technique was carried out using two different procedures: a stirred batch and a continuous flux method. Pure palladium as well as Pd-Ag membranes were produced: the Pd-Ag membranes’ composition is calculated to be close to 77% Pd and 23% Ag by weight which was the target value that correspond to the best performance of the palladium-based alloys. One of the membranes produced showed an infinite selectivity through hydrogen and relatively high permeability value and is suitable for the potential use as a hydrogen separator. The hydrogen sorption in silver palladium alloys was carried out in a gravimetric system on films produced by ELD technique. In the temperature range inspected, up to 400°C, there is still a lack in literature. The experimental data were analyzed with rigorous equations allowing to calculate the enthalpy and entropy values of the Sieverts’ constant; the results were in very good agreement with the extrapolation made with literature data obtained a lower temperature (up to 150 °C). The information obtained in this study would be directly usable in the modeling of hydrogen permeation in Pd-based systems. Pure and mixed gas permeation tests were performed on Pd-based hydrogen selective membranes at operative conditions close to steam-reforming ones. Two membranes (one produced in this work and another produced by NGK Insulators Japan) showed a virtually infinite selectivity and good permeability. Mixture data revealed the existence of non negligible resistances to hydrogen transport in the gas phase. Even if the decrease of the driving force due to polarization concentration phenomena occurs, in principle, in all membrane-based separation systems endowed with high perm-selectivity, an extensive experimental analysis lack, at the moment, in the palladium-based membrane process in literature. Moreover a new procedure has been introduced for the proper comparison of the mass transport resistance in the gas phase and in the membrane. Another object of study was the water vapor sorption and permeation in PFSI membranes with short and long side chains was also studied; moreover the permeation of gases (i.e. He, N2 and O2) in dry and humid conditions was considered. The water vapor sorption showed strong interactions between the hydrophilic groups and the water as revealed from the hysteresis in the sorption-desorption isotherms and thermo gravimetric analysis. The data obtained were used in the modeling of water vapor permeation, that was described as diffusion-reaction of water molecules, and in the humid gases permeation experiments. In the dry gas experiments the permeability and diffusivity was found to increase with temperature and with the equivalent weight (EW) of the membrane. A linear correlation was drawn between the dry gas permeability and the opposite of the equivalent weight of PFSI membranes, based on which the permeability of pure PTFE is retrieved in the limit of high EW. In the other hand O2 ,N2 and He permeability values was found to increase significantly, and in a similar fashion, with water activity. A model that considers the PFSI membrane as a composite matrix with a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic phase was considered allowing to estimate the variation of gas permeability with relative humidity on the basis of the permeability in the dry PFSI membrane and in pure liquid water.

Enhanced Mixed Integer Programming Techniques and Routing Problems

Mixed integer programming is up today one of the most widely used techniques for dealing with hard optimization problems. On the one side, many practical optimization problems arising from real-world applications (such as, e.g., scheduling, project planning, transportation, telecommunications, economics and finance, timetabling, etc) can be easily and effectively formulated as Mixed Integer linear Programs (MIPs). On the other hand, 50 and more years of intensive research has dramatically improved on the capability of the current generation of MIP solvers to tackle hard problems in practice. However, many questions are still open and not fully understood, and the mixed integer programming community is still more than active in trying to answer some of these questions. As a consequence, a huge number of papers are continuously developed and new intriguing questions arise every year. When dealing with MIPs, we have to distinguish between two different scenarios. The first one happens when we are asked to handle a general MIP and we cannot assume any special structure for the given problem. In this case, a Linear Programming (LP) relaxation and some integrality requirements are all we have for tackling the problem, and we are ``forced" to use some general purpose techniques. The second one happens when mixed integer programming is used to address a somehow structured problem. In this context, polyhedral analysis and other theoretical and practical considerations are typically exploited to devise some special purpose techniques. This thesis tries to give some insights in both the above mentioned situations. The first part of the work is focused on general purpose cutting planes, which are probably the key ingredient behind the success of the current generation of MIP solvers. Chapter 1 presents a quick overview of the main ingredients of a branch-and-cut algorithm, while Chapter 2 recalls some results from the literature in the context of disjunctive cuts and their connections with Gomory mixed integer cuts. Chapter 3 presents a theoretical and computational investigation of disjunctive cuts. In particular, we analyze the connections between different normalization conditions (i.e., conditions to truncate the cone associated with disjunctive cutting planes) and other crucial aspects as cut rank, cut density and cut strength. We give a theoretical characterization of weak rays of the disjunctive cone that lead to dominated cuts, and propose a practical method to possibly strengthen those cuts arising from such weak extremal solution. Further, we point out how redundant constraints can affect the quality of the generated disjunctive cuts, and discuss possible ways to cope with them. Finally, Chapter 4 presents some preliminary ideas in the context of multiple-row cuts. Very recently, a series of papers have brought the attention to the possibility of generating cuts using more than one row of the simplex tableau at a time. Several interesting theoretical results have been presented in this direction, often revisiting and recalling other important results discovered more than 40 years ago. However, is not clear at all how these results can be exploited in practice. As stated, the chapter is a still work-in-progress and simply presents a possible way for generating two-row cuts from the simplex tableau arising from lattice-free triangles and some preliminary computational results. The second part of the thesis is instead focused on the heuristic and exact exploitation of integer programming techniques for hard combinatorial optimization problems in the context of routing applications. Chapters 5 and 6 present an integer linear programming local search algorithm for Vehicle Routing Problems (VRPs). The overall procedure follows a general destroy-and-repair paradigm (i.e., the current solution is first randomly destroyed and then repaired in the attempt of finding a new improved solution) where a class of exponential neighborhoods are iteratively explored by heuristically solving an integer programming formulation through a general purpose MIP solver. Chapters 7 and 8 deal with exact branch-and-cut methods. Chapter 7 presents an extended formulation for the Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows (TSPTW), a generalization of the well known TSP where each node must be visited within a given time window. The polyhedral approaches proposed for this problem in the literature typically follow the one which has been proven to be extremely effective in the classical TSP context. Here we present an overall (quite) general idea which is based on a relaxed discretization of time windows. Such an idea leads to a stronger formulation and to stronger valid inequalities which are then separated within the classical branch-and-cut framework. Finally, Chapter 8 addresses the branch-and-cut in the context of Generalized Minimum Spanning Tree Problems (GMSTPs) (i.e., a class of NP-hard generalizations of the classical minimum spanning tree problem). In this chapter, we show how some basic ideas (and, in particular, the usage of general purpose cutting planes) can be useful to improve on branch-and-cut methods proposed in the literature.