Hybrid genetic algorithm for a type-Ⅱ robust mixed-model assembly line balancing problem with interval task times

The typemixed-model assembly line balancing problem with uncertain task times is a critical problem. This paper addresses this issue of practical significance to production efficiency. Herein, a robust optimization model for this problem is formulated to hedge against uncertainty. Moreover, the counterpart of the robust optimization model is developed by duality. A hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) is proposed to solve this problem. In this algorithm, a heuristic method is utilized to seed the initial population. In addition, an adaptive local search procedure and a discrete Levy flight are hybridized with the genetic algorithm (GA) to enhance the performance of the algorithm. The effectiveness of the HGA is tested on a set of benchmark instances. Furthermore, the effect of uncertainty parameters on production efficiency is also investigated.

Sleep quality of spousal caregivers is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms and living ability of patients with Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, accounting for the majority of cases of dementia. The global prevalence of AD is rising, representing an increasing challenge for older individuals and their families.[1] Seven out of every ten patients with AD receive informal care at home, relying on co-resident family members, especially spouses.[2] However, cultural differences exist in the effects of the disorder. For example, Chinese caregivers of patients with dementia had higher scores on measures of depression and caregiver burden compared with caregivers of patients with dementia in Western societies.[3] It is important to consider that AD not only affects the patient but also their caregivers, particularly spousal caregivers who spend more than half their time with the patient.[4] As AD progresses, patients become increasingly dependent on caregivers. Meanwhile, there is an increasingly heavy caregiver burden, characterized as the physical, psychological, or emotional, social, and financial problems experienced by family members who care for impaired older adults.[5] Additionally, it is frequently reported that sleep disturbance symptoms are associated with health consequences among AD caregivers.[6]

Just-in-time parts feeding optimization for assembly lines under travel time uncertainty

Just-in-time(JIT)part feeding is adopted by more and more automobile producers.Based on this part feeding policy,vehicles perform their assigned routes cyclically and provide stations with the exact quantity of parts required until the next arrival of the vehicle.However,if there are uncertain travel times,a shortage of materials in stations will be caused.In this paper,the JIT part feeding optimization problem under travel time uncertainty is studied.The uncertain travel time is represented by the interval number according to the actual situation.To minimize the largest possible vehicle trip time,the optimization model is developed based on robust optimization.In the model,a route-dependent uncertain parameter is introduced.Through this model,the route of each vehicle and the parts load needed to be delivered by the vehicle can be calculated.A hybrid simulated annealing algorithm is designed to solve this model.The parts feeding planning for an engine assembly line is taken as an example.By the Monte Carlo simulation,the relationship between the line stoppage probability and the uncertain parameter is studied to obtain the final solution.The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by this case study.

Attention-based encoder-decoder model for answer selection in question answering

问答技术的重要挑战之一就是解决问题与答案之间的语义空白。机器翻译模型已经被证明能有效的提升解决问题与答案之间的语义空白。本文提出了一种基于注意机制的深度神经网络模型来解决问答系统中的答案选择任务。该模型采用了基于双向长短时记忆(Long short-term memory,LSTM)的编码解码模型,编码解码模型是一个被证明再机器翻译领域取得了突出的成绩。我们还在模型中应用了注意力机制来提升模型的效果。本文在一个公开数据集上验证了实验的有效性,同时通过结合该模型显著提高了问答系统的性能在TREC 2015 liveQA的任务中。

P2X_7 receptors in cerebral ischemia

Cerebral ischemia is one of the most common diseases resulting in death and disability in aged people. It leads immediately to rapid energy failure, ATP depletion, and ionic imbalance, which increase extracellular ATP levels and accordingly activate P2X7 receptors. These receptors are ATP-gated cation channels and widely distributed in nerve cells, especially in the immunocompetent cells of the brain. Currently, interest in the roles of P2Xz receptors in ischemic brain injury is growing. In this review, we discuss recent research progress on the actions of P2X7 receptors, their possible mechanisms in cerebral ischemia, and the potential therapeutic value of P2X7 receptor antagonists which may provide a new target both for clinical and for research purposes.

Mechanisms of Chinese medical formula Fangji Huangqi Decoction as an effective treatment of nephrotic syndrome based on systems pharmacology

Objective: With the development of the society, the number of people who catch the nephrotic syndrome(NS) is going up roughly. As we all know, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), especially Fangji Huangqi Decoction(FHD), has a long history with good curative effects on NS. However, the mechanism of FHD treating NS has not been clearly elucidated.Methods: In this study, TCMSP platform was employed to screen active compounds of each herb of Fangji Huangqi Decoction combined with literatures. Furthermore, PharmMapper and SEA were used to predict and screen the active targets of FHD, and the HOME-NCBI-GENE, GeneCards and OMIM database were used to screen the active targets of NS. The GO and KEGG pathways involved in the targets were analyzed by Clue GO. Finally, contribution index was used to screen the active ingredients of FHD in the treatment of NS.Results: After drug-likeness(DL) and bioavailability(OB) filtering, 43 compounds were selected from FHD,interacting with 85 NS-related targets. Systematic analysis of the constructed networks revealed that it was mainly involved in PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway. The contribution index of every active ingredient also indicated five compounds, including astragaloside IV, quercetin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin and fangchinoline.Conclusions: These results have successfully predicted the pharmacodynamic material basis and the mechanism efficiency of FHD in the treatment of NS.