117,940 research outputs found
A Feasibility Pump Heuristic for General Mixed-Integer Problems
No full textAbstractFinding a feasible solution of a given Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) model is a very important (NP-complete) problem that can be extremely hard in practice. Very recently, Fischetti, Glover and Lodi proposed a heuristic scheme for finding a feasible solution to general MIPs, called a Feasibility Pump (FP). According to the computational analysis reported by these authors, FP is indeed quite effective in finding feasible solutions of hard 0-1 MIPs. However, MIPs with general-integer variables seem much more difficult to solve by using the FP approach.In this paper we elaborate on the Fischetti–Glover–Lodi approach and extend it in two main directions, namely (i) handling as effectively as possible MIP problems with both binary and general-integer variables, and (ii) exploiting the FP information to drive a subsequent enumeration phase.Extensive computational results on large sets of test instances from the literature are reported, showing the effectiveness of our improved FP scheme for finding feasible solutions to hard MIPs with general-integer variables
NOCICEPTIN/ORPHANIN FQ RECEPTOR LIGANDS: PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES
No full textThe neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) selectively binds and activates the
N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. At cellular level N/OFQ inhibits cAMP accumulation and Ca2+
conductance and stimulates K+ currents. N/OFQ regulates several biological functions both at
central (pain, locomotion, memory, emotional responses, food intake) and peripheral (airways,
cardiovascular, genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems) sites. Potent and selective NOP ligands
are now required for investigating the roles played by NOP receptors in pathophysiological studies
and for firmly defining the therapeutic indications of NOP receptor ligands.
A novel assay to screen NOP receptor ligands has been validated with a large panel of
ligands: the Gaqi5 chimeric protein has been used to force the NOP receptor to signal through the
Ca2+ pathway in CHO cells. [Ca2+]i levels were monitored using the fluorometer FlexStation II.
Data are in general agreement with classical Gi driven assay systems.
The NOP peptide partial agonist, ZP120 was extensively characterized in vitro using
electrically stimulated isolated tissues (mouse and rat vas deferens) and in vivo with the tail
withdrawal assay. The selective involvement of the NOP receptor in the actions of ZP120 has been
demonstrated in NOP(-/-) mice studies.
A detailed pharmacological characterization of the recently identified non-peptide antagonist
Compound 24 has been performed. Moreover in the context of a SAR study on Compound 24, a
novel NOP ligand named Compound 35 was identified. Compound 24 and Compound 35 bound the
human recombinant NOP receptor expressed in CHOhNOP cell membranes with high affinity (pKi
values 9.62 and 9.14, respectively). Our findings derived from functional studies on CHOhNOP and
bioassay studies on native receptors demonstrated that Compound 24 and Compound 35 behave as
potent, competitive and selective non-peptide NOP antagonists. Finally, the NOP antagonist
properties of Compound 24 have been confirmed in vivo in the mouse tail withdrawal assay
The New Generation of OR Enthusiasts: the AIROYoung Experiment
No full textThis special issue is dedicated to young researchers in operations research (OR) and to the newest topics of research in this field. To better understand the new generations of OR enthusiasts, what they are working on, and how they are going to feel part of this research community, the issue is dedicated to the 4th AIROYoung Workshop (Bolzano, 5–7 February 2020) and to the Italian AIROYoung chapter experience. AIROYoung is an example of a successful initiative that was born “from young researchers for young researchers”: volunteering PhDs and young OR specialists put their time and energies to create a young community, offer resources, and foster the collaboration between universities and industries. The issue will contain both scientific papers on the newest research topics, and extra contents and interviews to picture the community behind AIROYoung, and why it is important for young OR researchers around the world to feel part of a community
Physical activities and special education. A case-study with autism spectrum disorders students
No full textSince Convention of ‘Sport in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ (2007) elaborated a ‘multi-faceted’ framework for implementation, sports and physical activities - in the school context - has been used to promote social equality and self participation of students with disabilities (European Council, Erasmus+ 2014/2020). Among traditional school practices, sports and physical activities are often connected to leisure and expressivity activities, providing only the body-material component. However, the Italian latest curriculum reforms (2007 and 2012) have highlighted the social competences related to sports and physical activities, although about the support function of physical activity to learning processes, especially in case of disabilities, there is much more to discover. The paper presents the design-research, methodology and early results of an exploratory case-study, accomplished at the University of Bari. According to neuro-didactics studies and using the heuristic tool of active and bodily mediation, aimed: a) to investigate the mediation function of physical activities included within the interventions programs for student with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) supporting the related learning processes; b) more specifically, to test the efficiency of ‘iconic visualizers’ (Kozhevnikov et al., 2005) - as videomodeling and flashcards - supporting the didactical communication and the understanding of motor activities performance. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology
Contenuti, metodi ed esiti psicosociali di un percorso formativo: una ricerca-azione in un contesto organizzativo
No full textEffetti della Formazione sullo stress da lavoro in contesti socio sanitari ad alto rischio
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