Optimised dragline planning model

The presenting company provided data for typical operating parameters used in dragline operation. The problem for the Study Group was to investigate whether an optimal model of dragline operation could be developed. The Study Group modelled the sequence of operations for a typical surface mining strip. Overall, a simulation approach seems necessary to fully represent the dragline operation. Some aspects of the operations that are amenable to optimisation are described in this report

Blending methodologies in talc operations

The problem posed by Western Mining Corporation involves finding a way of improving or optimising the utilisation of batches of lower grade talc when making up orders for products of different grades. During the MISG a number of Linear Programming models were developed. These models addressed the problems of blending batches of talc for a single order and of blending to meet a series of orders for different products over a specified planning horizon. Preliminary versions of the models were tested using data supplied by Western Mining Corporation

Information and communication on the designation and management of Natura2000 sites. Main Report 4: A Proposal for a Natura2000 partner award scheme

Following the selection of Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI) according to the Birds and the Habitats Directives, most European Member States are now in process of formally designating SPAs and SCIs as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Natura2000 sites. These protected areas collectively form the European Union’s Natura2000 network. Member States are also selecting and implementing adequate management approaches and instruments to maintain and restore the favourable conservation status of protected species and habitat types and to prevent damage to the integrity of the sites. Both actions follow Articles 6.1 and 6.2 of the Habitats Directive. To help the Member States, the European Commission wishes to improve the knowledge and exchange of information and good practice both on the designation process of SPAs and SACs and on the establishment of conservation measures and instruments for these areas. Furthermore, the Commission wants to stress the importance of the sites and their management by involving a wider group of stakeholders in the development of so-called integrated management, in accordance with Article 2 of the Habitats Directive. The project ‘PREPARATORY ACTIONS- Lot 2: Information and communication on the designation and management of sites’ (tender ENV.B.2/SER/2007/0076) is intended to help the Commission to achieve these objectives. This is a proposal to the European Commission (EC) for a new European award scheme recognising ‘Natura2000 Partner’ and ‘Natura2000 Partner of the Year’. Our brief was to “elaborate a proposal for a system for rewarding persons, organizations or institutions that have a particular merit in the management of and the communication on Natura2000 sites.” The brief further stipulated the need for an award that would select ‘Natura2000 Partners’ on an annual basis. From these, a selection would be made, enabling the EC to confer the title of ‘Natura2000 Partner of the Year’. Our proposal allows for Member States (MSs) to award this latter title, with an additional title of ‘European Natura2000 Partner of the Year’ being made annually by the EC

Перша конференція архівів слов’янських країн

7–10 жовтня 2010 р. у Словенії, у туристичному центрі Ліпіца, що на кордоні з Італією, в готелі “Маестозо” відбулася Перша конференція архівів слов’янських країн

Artefactos da porta escondida da ponte: (“Lançados para dentro de um Labirinto”)

Reflexão sobre os jogos e suas pontes entre o real e virtual na dimensão cultural. Através de uma revisão de narrativa da literatura e da experiência prática de 20 anos como artista electrónico, apresentam-se alguns exemplos e arqueologia da infra-estrutura e do espaço lógico labiríntico dos videojogos e jogos na realidade. Uma possível comparação, leitura e análise dos diferentes tipos de artefactos que permitem a passagem da ponte nos jogos que conecta regiões distintas, sob a luz de alguma filosofia e da ausência de conhecimento. O Homem Lúdico que antecede o Homem Sábio. O Homem Infante que lança os artefactos para dentro de um Labirinto, sem o Conhecimento, procurando deslindar o enigma do jogo, sem ajudas. O momento inaugural de novos territórios e de novos conhecimentos.Reflection about games and its bridges between the real and the virtual in the cultural dimension. Through a revision of literature’s narrative and 20 years of practical experience as electronic artist, some examples and archaeology of the infrastructure and labyrinthine logical space of videogames and games in reality are presented. A possible comparison, reading and analysis of the different kinds of tokens which allow the crossing of the bridge in games that connects distinct regions, under the light of some philosophy and absence of knowledge. The Ludical Man which precedes the Sage Man. The Infant Man that throws the artefacts inside of a Labyrinth, without the Knowledge, seeking to unravel the riddle of the game, without assistances. The inaugural moment of new territories and new knowledges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in the assessment of inflammatory activity of rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission.

Abstract Background: Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a biomarker increasingly used for the assessment of systemic inflammation. We aimed to evaluate suPAR for the assessment of inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in remission. Methods: In our cross-sectional study we measured plasma suPAR and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 120 RA patients at various stages of disease activity and 29 healthy age-matched controls. Results: suPAR, CRP and ESR values were higher in RA patients compared to healthy individuals. When suPAR levels were analyzed according to DAS28 scores of RA patients, suPAR level in the subgroup with DAS282.6, but still higher than in controls [4.45 (3.33-5.56) ng/mL vs. 3.66 (3.10-4.67) ng/mL vs. 2.80 (2.06-3.42) ng/mL, p<0.0001, median (interquartile range)]. In contrast, CRP and ESR values were comparable in the subgroup with DAS28</=2.6 and in healthy individuals. We further analyzed the correlation between the number of tender and/or swollen joints and suPAR levels in RA patients in remission. suPAR values were significantly higher in patients with four tender and/or swollen joints than in patients with 2-3 or 0-1 tender and/or swollen joints. Conclusions: While CRP and ESR values indicate remission of the chronic inflammatory process in RA, suPAR values are still elevated compared to healthy individuals. suPAR might be particularly valuable in the recognition of inflammatory activity in patients who are in remission according to DAS28 scores but have symptoms of tender and/or swollen joints

Information and communication on the designation and management of Natura2000 sites. Main Report 3: Towards Integrated Management

Following the selection of Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI) according to the Birds and the Habitats Directives, most European Member States are now in process of formally designating SPAs and SCIs as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Natura2000 sites. These protected areas collectively form the European Union’s Natura2000 network. Member States are also selecting and implementing adequate management approaches and instruments to maintain and restore the favourable conservation status of protected species and habitat types and to prevent damage to the integrity of the sites. Both actions follow Articles 6.1 and 6.2 of the Habitats Directive. To help the Member States, the European Commission wishes to improve the knowledge and exchange of information and good practice both on the designation process of SPAs and SACs and on the establishment of conservation measures and instruments for these areas. Furthermore, the Commission wants to stress the importance of the sites and their management by involving a wider group of stakeholders in the development of so-called integrated management, in accordance with Article 2 of the Habitats Directive. The project ‘PREPARATORY ACTIONS- Lot 2: Information and communication on the designation and management of sites’ (tender ENV.B.2/SER/2007/0076) is intended to help the Commission to achieve these objectives. In this report we will elaborate on the concept of integrated management as an option for managing the sites. In the first part the meaning of integrated management will be explored. In a second part we give some examples of management approaches that we think illustrate best the concept of integrated management and its potential to achieve the Natura2000 goals

Information and communication on the designation and management of Natura2000 sites. Main Report 2: Organizing the management in 27 EU Member States

Following the selection of Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI) according to the Birds and the Habitats Directives, most European Member States are now in process of formally designating SPAs and SCIs as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Natura2000 sites. These protected areas collectively form the European Union’s Natura2000 network. Member States are also selecting and implementing adequate management approaches and instruments to maintain and restore the favourable conservation status of protected species and habitat types and to prevent damage to the integrity of the sites. Both actions follow Articles 6.1 and 6.2 of the Habitats Directive. To help the Member States, the European Commission wishes to improve the knowledge and exchange of information and good practice both on the designation process of SPAs and SACs and on the establishment of conservation measures and instruments for these areas. Furthermore, the Commission wants to stress the importance of the sites and their management by involving a wider group of stakeholders in the development of so-called integrated management, in accordance with Article 2 of the Habitats Directive. The project ‘PREPARATORY ACTIONS- Lot 2: Information and communication on the designation and management of sites’ (tender ENV.B.2/SER/2007/0076) is intended to help the Commission to achieve these objectives. This report presents a full description of the results of the project regarding the management of sites

MMP-2 and MMP-9 in normal mucosa are independently associated with outcome of colorectal cancer patients.

BackgroundUpregulation of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 in various cancers has been associated with worse survival of the patients.MethodsWe assessed MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in normal colorectal mucosa from colorectal cancer patients in relation to the course of the disease.ResultsA high protein expression of MMP-2 as well as MMP-9 in normal mucosa was found to be correlated with worse 5-year survival. The combination of both parameters was an even stronger prognostic factor. These protein levels were found not to be related to the corresponding single nucleotide polymorphisms of MMP-2 (-1306C&gt;T) and MMP-9 (-1562C&gt;T). Multivariate analyses indicated that the MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in normal mucosa are prognostic for survival, independent of TNM classification.ConclusionMMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in normal mucosa are indicative of the course of disease in colorectal cancer patients

MMP-2 geno-phenotype is prognostic for colorectal cancer survival, whereas MMP-9 is not.

The prognostic significance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and tumour protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was evaluated in 215 colorectal cancer patients. Single-nucleotide polymorphism MMP-2(-1306T) and high MMP-2 levels were significantly associated with worse survival. Extreme tumour MMP-9 levels were associated with poor prognosis but SNP MMP-9(-1562C&gt;T) was not. Tumour MMP levels were not determined by their SNP genotypes