Abstract
Cutting and packing problems generally address the cutting or packing of smaller items into a larger container object. Usually, the main methodologies used in the Circular Open Dimension Problem (CODP) are nonlinear programming methods or methods that combine different heuristics. The aim of this project is at devising and using an agent-based simulation approach to determine the length of the open rectangle in CODP; more specifically, we look into the Circular two-dimension Open Dimension Problem. Agents (circles, which can have different dimensions) were given a set of simple rules that allow them to be placed in the world (i.e. an open rectangle). These rules are inferred from the formal CODP formulation and from the behavior defined in the agents.

Abstract
Large scale distributed data stores rely on optimistic replication to scale and remain highly available in the face of network partitions. Managing data without coordination results in eventually consistent data stores that allow for concurrent data updates. These systems often use anti-entropy mechanisms (like Merkle Trees) to detect and repair divergent data versions across nodes. However, in practice hash-based data structures are too expensive for large amounts of data and create too many false conflicts. Another aspect of eventual consistency is detecting write conflicts. Logical clocks are often used to track data causality, necessary to detect causally concurrent writes on the same key. However, there is a nonnegligible metadata overhead per key, which also keeps growing with time, proportional with the node churn rate. Another challenge is deleting keys while respecting causality: while the values can be deleted, perkey metadata cannot be permanently removed without coordination. We introduce a new causality management framework for eventually consistent data stores, that leverages node logical clocks (Bitmapped Version Vectors) and a new key logical clock (Dotted Causal Container) to provides advantages on multiple fronts: 1) a new efficient and lightweight anti-entropy mechanism; 2) greatly reduced per-key causality metadata size; 3) accurate key deletes without permanent metadata.

Abstract
This Fall Issue will discuss about the power of technology and Internet. Innovation is taking place everywhere through new and emerging technologies changing the way we think, live, breathe, travel, and do shopping to name a few areas. Funny enough is that some of us believe that the most important technologies are on the market available to please customers and users, and nothing more important will show up later. We, as humans, systematically underestimate the power of technology and its impact on daily life. There are several well-known quotations from very smart people which have turned ridiculous after some time by basically shifting initial assumptions into market knowledge. Whatever is too expensive and complex today becomes a commodity in no time and shortly after doesn’t bring competitive advantage any longer (the S-curve effect, see e.g Bayus, 1998 or Rogers, 1962, for different explanations). Several notable studies illustrate (like the well cited and used BCG tools) how rapidly diffusion is influencing production costs and consequently, accelerates the speed of diffusion itself. The question here stems from where the balance between the minority of ‘crazy’ developers and the majority of pioneering consumers willing to try something new lies.  (...)

Abstract
It has been hypothesized that the metabolism of alcohol is altered following bariatric surgery. However, few studies have evaluated preoperative and postoperative alcohol use. The aims of the study were to characterize alcohol use in the preoperative period and 2 years postoperatively as well as to identify factors associated. A study was conducted using data from the electronic charts of patients submitted to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery in the city of Porto, Portugal. Associations with the following variables were analyzed: age, marital status, schooling, alcohol use, body mass index, binge eating disorder, and lifestyle habits. Among the 659 patients, 42.0 % completed the 2 years of follow-up. A total of 90.2 % were women; 67.4 % underwent LAGB, and 32.6 % underwent RYGB. The frequency of alcohol use was 24.2 % in the preoperative period and 9.4 % in the postoperative period (p = 0.000). Daily alcohol intake was two drinks in the preoperative period and 1.8 drinks in the postoperative period. Significant associations were found between postoperative alcohol use and the male gender (p = 0.001), age a parts per thousand yen45 years (p = 0.018), and preoperative BMI < 40 kg/m(2) (p = 0.028). No significant associations were found with the surgical technique. No previous nondrinkers became drinkers, and no patients increased the quantity or frequency of alcohol intake in the postoperative period. The prevalence of alcohol use in the sample was low. Moreover, a lower prevalence rate was found in the postoperative period, independently of surgical technique, clinical factors, and percentage of weight loss.

Abstract
We developed an experimental setup for electromagnetically induced transparency able to manufacture microcells, suitable for optical fiber communications technology. A hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF) is filled with acetylene, to work in the 1500 nm telecommunications window. We used a HC-PCF with the mode-field diameter compatible with standard single-mode fibers, with the purpose of achieving low-loss splicing and enabling us to work at low pumping powers. This allows to induce a narrow transparency window, which can be spectrally adjusted and dynamically controlled. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:348-352, 2015

Abstract
This article studies the economic crisis' impact on consumers' behavior, and aims to help defining green marketing strategies appropriate for these periods. We conducted a survey to 412 Portuguese individuals. The majority of the respondents shows a medium or high green consumer behavior, and demonstrates reduced consumption during crisis. The purchase of green products is more present in products whose use cost is lower than the use cost of the alternative products. The crisis may have a bipolar effect on green consumption, encouraging certain practices and reducing others.