A discrete animal migration algorithm for dual-resource constrained energy-saving flexible job shop scheduling problem

This paper presents a discrete animal migration optimization (DAMO) to solve the dual-resource constrained energy-saving flexible job shop scheduling problem (DRCESFJSP), with the aim of minimizing the total energy consumption in the workshop. A job-resource-based two-vector encoding method is designed to represent the scheduling solution, and an energy-saving decoding approach is given based on the left-shift rule. To ensure the quality and diversity of initial scheduling solutions, a heuristic approach is employed for the resource assignment, and some dispatching rules are applied to acquire the operation permutation. In the proposed DAMO, based on the characteristics of the DRCESFJSP problem, the search operators of the basic AMO are discretized to adapt to the problem under study. An animal migration operator is presented based on six problem-based neighborhood structures, which dynamically changes the search scale of each animal according to its solution quality. An individual updating operator based on crossover operation is designed to obtain new individuals through the crossover operation between the current individual and the best individual or a random individual. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, the Taguchi design of experiment method is first applied to obtain the best combination of parameters. Numerical experiments are carried out based on 32 instances in the existing literature. Computational data and statistical comparisons indicate that both the left-shift decoding rule and population initialization strategy are effective in enhancing the quality of the scheduling solutions. It also demonstrate that the proposed DAMO has advantages against other compared algorithms in terms of the solving accuracy for solving the DRCESFJSP.

Apoptosis of Circulating Heterophils; Implications for the Interpretation of the Heterophil/Lymphocyte Ratio

The aim is to demonstrate a variety of apoptotic heterophils (equivalents of mammalian neutrophils) occurring in hemograms of 50 apparently healthy pullets housed in cages. These atypical cells are found in blood with normal total white cell levels (TWBC, ~20K) and in those ranging up to 100(K) a leukocytosis/leukemoid reaction level. Conversely heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratios in all hens ranged between 0.14 – 0.50 (homeostasis). The Arneth index (a heterophil age measure) of 1.8 computed using only intact heterophils indicated a “left-shift”, suggesting inflammation even in the context of a normal hemogram.

A Paraurethral Vaginal Mass in Rural Setting: A Case Report

Paraurethral vaginal leiomyoma is the infrequent case to be described. Approximately 300 cases have been described so far. Imaging modalities aid in identifying the morphological, structural characteristics of the mass and its relationship to the surrounding structures. Thirty-six years old married women presented with a vulvar mass of (3x5) cm2. Her associated complaints were left shift of the urinary stream and dyspareunia. Ultrasonography and cystography revealed a mass with no relationship with bladder or uterine structure. Surgical excision was performed. The histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis of paraurethral vaginal leiomyoma. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice and diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination.

An improved vigener algorithm based on circular-left-shift key and MSB binary for data security

Cryptography is a significant study area at present since it can be vital to protect exceedingly sensitive and secret information from illegal fraud during network transmission. One of the basic cryptographic algorithms is the Vigenere cipher, which is a very easy encryption method to be used as an alternative to Caesar cipher for encrypting the text of the message. In this paper, we enhance the Vigenere algorithm and propose a new method by shifting the key in each message to prevent repeating the messages. Also, it converts the messages into binary form rather than an alphabet. Furthermore, it adds a few bits of random padding to each block of outputs to send a series of bits. The proposed algorithm is named “Circular-Left-Shift Key-based Vigener Algorithm using MSB Binary (CLS-V-MSB)”. Finally, this technique slightly raises the size of the ciphertext, but substantially increases the cipher's protection, achieves the security objectives (authentication, confidentiality, integrity, freshness, and non-repudiation), and avoids Kasiski and Friedman.

The Oxygen Dissociation Curve of Blood in COVID-19

COVID-19 hinders oxygen transport to the consuming tissues by at least 2 mechanisms: In the injured lung saturation of hemoglobin is compromised, in the tissues an associated anemia reduces the volume of delivered oxygen. For the first problem increased hemoglobin oxygen affinity (left shift of the oxygen dissociation curve ODC) is of advantage, for the 2nd, however, the contrary is the case. Indeed a right shift of the ODC has been found in former studies for anemia caused by reduced cell production or hemolysis. This resulted from increased 2,3-biphosphglycerate (2,3-BPG) concentration. In 3 investigations in COVID-19, however, no change of hemoglobin affinity was detected in spite of probably high [2,3-BPG]. The most plausible cause for this finding is formation of methemoglobin, which increases the oxygen affinity and thus apparently compensates for the 2,3-BPG effect. But this "useful effect" is cancelled by the concomitant reduction of functional hemoglobin. In the largest study on COVID-19 even a clear left shift of the ODC was detected when calculated from measurements in fresh blood rather than after equilibration with gases outside the body. This additional „in vivo" left shift possibly results from various factors (e. g. concentration changes of Cl-, 2,3-BPG, ATP, lactate, nitrocompounds, glutathione, glutamate, because of time delay between blood sampling and end of equilibration, or enlarged distribution space including interstitial fluid and is useful for O2 uptake in the lungs. Under discussion for therapy are the affinity-increasing 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF), erythropoiesis stimulating substances like erythropoietin, and methylene blue against MetHb formation.

Cecal dilatation and distension in a Holstein calf

Cecal dilatation and distention is an important disorder in early lactation dairy cows, however, reports describing the anatomical pathology findings of this condition are scarce in the literature. Etiopathogenesis of cecal dilatation and distention is often attributed to high concentrate feeds, but there is also evidence of myoelectrical dysfunction contributing to its occurrence. Diagnosis is often made based on physical exam findings, with the contribution of ancillary exams. This paper aims to describe a case of cecal dilatation with clinical, laboratorial and pathology findings of a 5-month-old Holstein calf that presented abdominal distension, positive succussion of the right flank and mild dehydration. Clinical pathology findings included neutrophilic leukocytosis with regenerative left shift and elevated ruminal chloride. Ultrasonographic examination of the right abdomen showed distended and hypomotile intestinal loops. Despite that, due to the patient’s age, which prevented rectal palpation, and lack of some characteristic clinical and clinical pathology findings, diagnosis was only possible post mortem. Macroscopical and microscopical findings demonstrated cecum dilatation with edema, hemorrhage and thrombi. Despite being well known by large animal clinics, anatomical pathologists must be aware of this condition.

Haematological findings in 158 cows with acute toxic mastitis with a focus on the leukogram

Background In cows with acute toxic mastitis (ATM), the leukogram aids in the assessment of the severity of disease. The goal of our study was to compare the leukogram of 158 cows with ATM (cases) and 168 clinically healthy cows (controls). We hypothesised that the leukograms of surviving and non-surviving cows differ and that there are variables of the leukogram with sufficient prognostic potential to be used in the decision to treat or not to treat a cow with ATM. The cows were examined clinically and underwent haematological and biochemical examination of blood and bacteriological culture of milk samples. Results All cows with ATM had a poor appetite or anorexia, and 34 cows (21.5%) were recumbent. A single quarter was affected in 119 cows (75.3%), two quarters in 37 cows (23.4%) and three quarters in two cows (1.3%). Bacteriological culture showed Gram-negative pathogens in 100 cows (63.3%), Gram-positive in 15 (9.5%) and yeast in 4 (2.5%). The median total leukocyte count of cases was 4300 cells/µL (interquartile range = 2300–8200/µL), which was significantly lower than 8000 cells/µL (6525–9300/µL) in controls. Except for band neutrophils and metamyelocytes, the counts of all components of the leukogram were lower in cases compared with controls. Significantly more cows with ATM had leukopenia (60.1 vs. 4.1%) or leukocytosis (10.1 vs. 3.0%) than controls. Diseased cows had significantly lower segmented neutrophil counts than controls (860 vs. 2598 cells/µL), and 69.5 and 17.3%, respectively, had counts below the reference interval. Cases had increased band (77.3%) and metamyelocyte (25.0%) counts compared with controls (0.6 and 0%, respectively). In diseased cows, eosinopenia occurred in 66.4% (controls, 1.8%), monocytopenia in 40.6% (4.2%) and lymphopenia in 60.2% (1.8%). Twenty-one diseased cows (16.4%) had a regenerative and 57 (44.5%) had a degenerative left shift. The median neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was 0.97 in diseased cows and 0.63 in controls. Toxic changes in neutrophils including cytoplasmic basophilia and vacuolisation were seen in 101 (91.8%) of 110 blood smears of diseased cows. The leukogram of the surviving and non-surviving cows did not differ significantly, and the hypothesis was rejected. Conclusions ATM results in severe changes in the leukogram particularly leukopenia, lymphopenia, and degenerative left shift. The hypothesis that the leukograms of surviving and non-surviving cows differ was rejected. The leukogram has not sufficient prognostic potential to be used in the decision to treat or not to treat a cow with ATM.

Severe Aplastic Anemia as First Manifestation of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

Autoimmune cytopenia, a known paraneoplastic complication of lymphoid neoplasms, may occur before, concurrently, at relapse, or even years after completion of lymphoma treatment. In the case of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), it is thought that immune dysregulation, typical of this neoplasm, may be involved in the genesis of these manifestations. We report a 57-year-old male presenting with stage IIIA, International Prognostic Score (IPS) 4, nodular sclerosis HL, and severe AA (SAA) confirmed on the histologic exam of the bone marrow that showed severe marrow hypoplasia due to a decrease in the elements of the three cell linages with left shift of the myeloid maturation. Immunosuppression with steroids and cyclosporine A was started. Eltrombopag and G-CSF were also added. In spite of prompt initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, the patient presented an unfavorable outcome with progressive pancytopenia and severe acute cerebral hemorrhagic event. The patient died 59 days after admission. Although autoimmune disorders are described in HL, its concomitant diagnosis is extremely rare. Our case shows a rare instance of SAA as the first manifestation of HL.

Clinical, laboratory and anatomopathological study of caudal vena cava thrombosis in cattle

ABSTRACT: This paper aimed to describe the main clinico-epidemiological, laboratory, and anatomopathological findings in 10 cattle affected with caudal vena cava thrombosis. The main clinical signs observed were decreased milk production, reduced appetite, apathy, impairment of ruminal motility, cardiorespiratory disorders (tachycardia and tachypnea), epistaxis, hemoptysis, and ascites. Intercurrent diseases such as mastitis, metritis, and phlebitis were verified. The hematological findings were mild anemia, leukocytosis due to neutrophilia with regenerative left shift, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The pathological exams revealed thrombi in the caudal vena cava, hepatomegaly, ascites, liver abscesses, pulmonary edema and emphysema, and abscesses in the lungs. The association of epidemiological information, clinical signs such as respiratory distress, epistaxis or hemoptysis, in addition to anemia and leukocytosis due to neutrophilia, as well as the occurrence of thrombus in the caudal vena cava as pathological findings, are indicative elements of the clinical picture of vena cava thrombosis in cattle. It is reiterated that this disease has an unfavorable prognosis and, when diagnosed, the animal must be culled.